Summary:
By Express News ServiceHYDERABAD: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad have made a breakthrough towards making the treatment of the dreaded disease visceral leishmaniasis, also known as ‘kala-azar’, more effective and affordable. Kala-azar is caused by a parasite that is spread through the bite of an insect called phlebotomine sandfly. However, AmB is presently administered through injections, which often results in an uncontrolled release of the drug into the patient’s bloodstream. This was achieved by developing a tablet using nanofibers made out of gelatine, which is loaded with the drug. Dr Sharma said, “While gelatine nanofibres could be easily produced by electrospinning, their poor structural consistency in aqueous conditions required them to be crosslinked”..