A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Nanoformulations in the Treatment and Control of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Background: Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease of global public health importance, the treatment of which has faced serious challenges due to the toxicity of existing drugs, the long duration of treatment, and the emergence of drug resistance. Nanoformulations, as a novel strategy with the potential to improve bioavailability, specifically target infected tissues, and reduce side effects, have created new hopes in the field of treatment. The main objective of this systematic review is to provide evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials on the efficacy and toxicity profile of nanoformulations in the treatment and control of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. Methods: This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. A systematic search was conducted across the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant laboratory studies (in vitro/in vivo) and clinical trials published from January ۲۰۲۰ to August ۲۰۲۵. The keywords "dog", "Leishmania", "nanoformulation", "treatment", and "efficacy" were used. Screening, data extraction, and study quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, and disagreements were resolved through discussion. Results: A systematic review of ۱۸ eligible studies provided a clear picture of the high potential of nanoformulations for the management of canine leishmaniasis. Among the different types of nanocarriers, biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles such as PLGA and chitosan, along with liposomes, were the most commonly used in the formulations studied. These nanocarriers were primarily used for the controlled release of key antileishmanial drugs, such as amphotericin B, miltefosine, and pentamidine. Quantitative efficacy evaluations showed that these novel formulations were significantly more effective than conventional dosage forms in both laboratory (in vitro) and animal (in vivo) models. The most prominent result was a significant reduction in parasite load in target organs, especially the spleen and bone marrow. Conclusion: Nanoformulations appear to be a very promising and superior option to conventional therapies for canine leishmaniasis. However, further large-scale clinical studies in canine populations are necessary to standardize these formulations and evaluate their long-term effects.

کلیدواژه ها:

Canine leishmaniasis ، nanoformulation ، efficacy ، systematic review