Furazolidone inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for canine cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment: in vitro biological evaluation

Canine cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL) is a public health problem in Brazil. According literature, furazolidone present activity against different Leishmania forms and strains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and the leishmanicidal activity of pure and complexed furazolidone with β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. Inclusion complexes were prepared by lyophilization and kneading techniques, in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios (FZD:CD). The cytotoxicity has been determined by MTT assay in THP-1 macrophages lineages. Leishmanicidal activity was tested against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis using resazurin dye. According to the results of leishmanicidal activity, the promastigote forms of the L. amazonensis strain were susceptible to the action of the free and complexed FZD. The samples showed no citoxicity to THP-1 macrophages (CC50 > 450 μg/mL). FZD:CD inclusions complexes can be considered a promising strategy for the treatment of leishmaniasis in dogs.