Nano‐Based Sodium Stibogluconate for Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania major in Male Mice

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 700,000 to 1 million people around the world contract Leishmaniasis annually. Saudi Arabia has been recorded as one of the six countries with the highest infection rate (up to 90%). In this study, novel nanomedicine formulations of sodium stibogluconate (SSG), including chitosan nanoparticles and mannose‐decorated chitosan nanoparticles, were prepared for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in male mice. The in vivo pharmacokinetics of these formulations was tracked at several time points. By the end of the administered treatment period, the effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real‐time PCR. The results showed that the nanoformulations of SSG (SSG CS NPs and SSG M CS NPs) maintained plasma drug concentrations approximately three times higher than those of free SSG after 72 h, indicating extended drug release and prolonged bioavailability. IgG levels were the lowest in the group treated with SSG M CS NPs, followed by those in SSG CS NPs and then the free SSG group. qPCR results also showed higher C t values for the drug‐enhanced nanoformulations (SSG CS NPs and SSG M CS NPs), indicating reduced parasitic DNA and increased treatment efficacy. These findings demonstrate that nanocarriers, especially mannose‐modified nanoparticles, may be associated with the improved drug delivery properties, as supported by the in vitro release profile and pharmacokinetic results.