A new approach for the delivery of artemisinin: Formulation, characterization, and ex-vivo antileishmanial studies

- Artemisinin-loaded nanoparticles (ALPLGA) were developed by Box Behnken design.
- An initial burst was followed by controlled release of artemisinin at pH 5.5, 7.4.
- IC50 for intracellular amastigotes was 2.9 fold lower with ALPLGA than artemisinin.
- ALPLGA significantly reduced the infected macrophages with restoration of NO levels.
- ALPLGA were non-toxic to macrophages and may have potential for drug delivery.