Nanoemulsions for increased penetrability and sustained release of leishmanicidal compounds

In the last decade, the World Health Organization has driven the development of drugs for topical use in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the most prevalent clinical form of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. The chemicals C6I, TC1, and TC2 were reported as promising antileishmanial drugs. We aimed to develop a topical nanoformulation that enhances the advantageous effect of C6I, TC1, and TC2, guaranteeing higher stability and bioavailability of the pharmacologically active components through the topical route. Nanoemulsions were prepared by ultrasonication based on oleic acid (0.5 g). A relation of Tween®‐80/ethanol (1:3) and water was obtained; physicochemical characterization of all formulations was performed, and the preliminary stability and transdermal penetration of these nanoemulsions were also investigated. Newtonian‐type fluids with high load capacity, 147–273 nm globule size, and −15 to −18 mV zeta potential were obtained with differential permeability rates in the first pig ear skin assay, first‐order kinetics‐release model for C6I, and Weibull for TC1 and TC2. The nanoemulsion showed good stability, high encapsulation efficiency, and higher leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania braziliensis with lower cytotoxicity in U937 macrophages. In conclusion, nanoemulsions of ethanol–oleic acid/Tween®‐80 increase the activity of compounds with leishmanicidal activity by increasing their penetration and sustained release.