RESUMEN
LED light is used for many medical and cosmetic applications such as phototherapy and skin rejuvenation. Such physical methods can be combined with drug therapy, such as LED-responsive drug delivery system, the subject of present investigation. To perform this investigation, a nanoliposome composed of DPPC, DSPE-PEG2000, and DC8,9PC, was prepared as LED-sensitive systems. Calcein was loaded in the liposomes as a fluorescent probe for drug release studies. Different LED wavelengths (blue, green and red) were used for triggering release of calcein from nanoliposome. Indoor daylight, darkness, and sunlight were applied as controls. Results showed that liposomes do not release their cargo in darkness, but they released it in response to indoor daylight, sunlight and LEDs, with the blue light showing the highest effect. Results also showed that release of calcein was sensitive to wavelength. Our results reveal potential of LED-sensitive liposomes for medical and cosmetic applications and that such system can be combined with phototherapy. Such concomitant therapies can increase medical/cosmetic effects and decrease adverse reactions to phototherapy.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Pentavalent antimonials remain the choice of treatment for leishmaniasis, despite their toxicity, high cost, and difficult administration. As an alternative, morphine may induce the healing process of cutaneous leishmaniasis by its immunoregulatory characteristics. OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of morphine on the wound-healing process of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an experimental study in which 40 BALB/c mice (female, 6 - 8 weeks) were divided into four groups (each n = 10) who received either placebo alone (group 1), morphine ointment after parasite inoculation (group 2), morphine ointment after wound occurrence (group 3), or placebo after wound occurrence (group 4). Wound size was measured weekly for eight weeks. RESULTS: On the first day of treatment, the lesions measured ~1.5 mm in diameter. After eight weeks of treatment, the wound size was significantly smaller in the mice who received morphine ointment (4.81 ± 3.22 mm) compared to those who received placebo after parasite inoculation (8.95 ± 5.71 mm; P = 0.0001) or placebo after wound occurrence (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The above data suggest that topical application of morphine accelerates the healing process of CL wounds. We are cautiously optimistic that the results of this study can be used clinically for potentiating CL wound-healing.