Nanofibers as innovative platforms for the treatment of leishmaniasis and candidiasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and candidiasis are global public health concerns, particularly due to their severity in immuno-compromised patients. Conventional treatments for these diseases often involve drugs associated with significant toxicity and adverse effects. Moreover, the prolonged duration of therapy hinders patient adherence and may contribute to the emergence of drug resistance. Electrospun polymeric nanofibers have shown promise in the treatment of CL and candidiasis by enabling sustained drug release, reducing toxicity, and minimizing side effects. This article reviews recent studies on the development of electrospun polymeric nanofibers for the treatment of CL and candidiasis, with focus on their compositions and characterization methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed in major scientific databases, covering studies published over the past ten years. Patents and clinical trials involving nanofibers for the treatment of CL or candidiasis were also investigated. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was the most frequently used polymer for electrospinning, either alone or in combination with other polymers. Amphotericin B (AmB) emerged as the most investigated drug, demonstrating efficacy against both CL and candidiasis. Methods for production, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity are well established, supporting the progression toward in vivo research. However, in vivo studies involving drug-loaded nanofibers for CL and candidiasis remain limited and require further investigation. Electrospun nanofibers show significant potential for the topical treatment of leishmaniasis and candidiasis. Nevertheless, clinical trials are still required to confirm the therapeutic benefits of nanofiber-based systems for these diseases. • Electrospun nanofibers show significant potential for the topical treatment of leishmaniasis and candidiasis; • These systems offer controlled drug release, reduced side effects; • Clinical trials are still required to confirm the therapeutic benefits of nanofiber; • Scaling up manufacturing processes without compromising fiber uniformity, functionalization, or therapeutic efficacy is essential; • ClinicalTrials.gov revealed no registered trials involving nanofibers