Affiliation:
1. Department of Textile Engineering Isfahan University of Technology Isfahan Iran
2. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan Iran
3. Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan Iran
Abstract
AbstractThe burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis, characterized by skin lesions from Leishmania parasites, has prompted a shift from traditional antimonial treatments to alternative therapies due to concerns over drug resistance and toxicity. This study heralds a novel multi‐layered wound dressing embedded with amphotericin B (AMB) in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers, designed to deliver controlled drug release. Fabrication involved conventional and needleless electrospinning, with the latter producing nanofibers (N‐PVA‐AMB) with a larger diameter of 550 nm compared to 230 nm for conventional (PVA‐AMB), resulting in a more sustained release of 55% over 65% for PVA‐AMB after 50 min. A pilot clinical trial demonstrated significant healing in patients with non‐healing ulcers within 4 weeks of treatment using the AMB‐loaded dressing. The dressing's unique composition not only facilitates painless application but also promotes efficient moisture transfer, enhancing wound healing and providing a barrier against infection. This innovative dressing addresses the challenges of pain during dressing changes and microbial contamination, marking a significant advancement in cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment and offering a practical alternative to conventional therapies.