Advanced Microparticle Drug Delivery Strategies for Leishmaniasis : A scoping review protocol

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the Leishmania protozoan and transmitted by the female phlebotomine sandfly. Current treatments have severe adverse effects and parasite resistance, making infection control difficult. Microparticles are controlled drug delivery systems that enhance absorption and prolong drug effects in the body. In leishmaniasis treatment, these particles can reduce dosing and toxicity, improving therapeutic efficacy. Given this, the scoping review will examine the role of microparticles as innovative drug delivery systems for anti-Leishmania spp. A detailed analysis will emphasize how these carriers can enhance drug release kinetics and improve therapeutic outcomes while addressing challenges in both pharmaceutical. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying future research directions, the study aims to promote the development of effective, targeted, and minimally invasive interventions against Leishmaniasis. This review will follow the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute and will apply the PRISMA-ScR checklist to report the results. Searches will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Predefined keywords and eligibility criteria focused on microparticle formulations containing drugs or bioactive compounds to combat Leishmania spp. will be employed. Selected articles will be analyzed in depth, and data will be extracted into Excel. Finally, all authors will discuss the main findings. All stages of the review will be conducted double-blind, including the title and abstract screening, eligibility assessment, and data extraction stages. In case of discrepancies, a third reviewer will be consulted.