Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery Systems for Amphotericin B in Antifungal Therapy

Amphotericin B remains the gold standard for life-threatening fungal infections but is hampered by poor solubility, renal toxicity and the necessity for intravenous administration. Nanoparticle-mediated delivery seeks to overcome these limitations by encapsulating amphotericin B within carriers that improve solubility, control release kinetics and target fungal cells while sparing host tissues. Such systems include lipid-based vesicles, polymeric nanoparticles and biomimetic constructs, each tailored to enhance drug stability, penetration of biological barriers and biodistribution to infection sites. Advances in particle engineering have enabled novel routes of administration beyond parenteral infusion, such as oral, mucosal and pulmonary delivery, which promise to increase patient access in resource-limited settings. Moreover, surface modification and payload optimisation allow modulation of immune responses, reduction of nephrotoxicity and enhanced clearance of fungal pathogens. Collectively, nanoparticle platforms for amphotericin B hold global significance by offering safer, more effective and potentially lower-cost antifungal therapies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Biomimetic synthesis of amphotericin B nano-aggregates via plant-derived extracts has yielded stable, sub-100 nm particles exhibiting sustained drug release and high serum stability. In murine models of systemic candidiasis, these nano-assemblies demonstrated significantly reduced haemolysis and nephrotoxicity compared with free drug or commercial liposomal formulations, while achieving superior fungal clearance. Structural characterisation confirmed a crystalline core that protects the parent compound and permits gradual liberation at infection sites. This biofriendly approach underscores the potential of nature-inspired nanoparticle platforms to surmount the toxicity constraints of conventional amphotericin B therapy.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery Systems for Amphotericin B in Antifungal Therapy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems for amphotericin b in antifungal therapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Amphotericin B: A broad-spectrum polyene antifungal agent with limited water solubility and significant nephrotoxicity in its conventional form.

Nanoparticles: Colloidal carriers in the 1–1000 nm range designed to encapsulate drugs and improve delivery to target tissues.

PLGA-PEG: A copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and polyethylene glycol used to form biocompatible nanoparticles with controlled release properties.

Encochleation: A process of embedding amphotericin B within calcium–phospholipid crystals to protect it from degradation and enable oral absorption.

Bioavailability: The proportion of administered drug that reaches systemic circulation in an active form.

Nephrotoxicity: The potential of a compound to cause kidney damage, a major limitation of conventional amphotericin B.

References

1. Biomimetically engineered Amphotericin B nano-aggregates circumvent toxicity constraints and treat systemic fungal infection in experimental animals. Scientific Reports (2017).
2. Low intensity ultrasound-mediated drug-loaded nanoparticles intravaginal drug delivery: an effective synergistic therapy scheme for treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2023).
3. Oral administration of amphotericin B nanoparticles: antifungal activity, bioavailability and toxicity in rats. Drug Delivery (2017).
4. Efficacy of Oral Encochleated Amphotericin B in a Mouse Model of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis. mBio (2019).