Mannose-coated liposomal hamycin in the treatment of experimental leishmaniasis in hamsters.

Liposomal hamycin was found to elicit enhanced microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity in experimental leishmaniasis in a hamster model under in vivo conditions. Mannose-coated liposomal hamycin was seen to produce increased therapeutic efficacy as judged from the lowering of spleen parasite load. At an equivalent dose of 0.5 mg/kg, every 3 days for a total of three doses in 7 days, the mannose-coated liposomal hamycin was found to be most effective compared to either of the liposomal hamycin or the free hamycin. Because of the reduced toxicity as judged from the blood pathology, tissue histology, and specific enzyme level related to normal liver function, mannose-coated liposomal hamycin resulted in 80 to 100% survival for a period of 15-18 days. Hamycin intercalated in sterol-rich liposomes showed reduced hemolytic activity but comparable therapeutic efficacy as was found with ordinary liposomes.