IIT Hyderabad researchers develop oral tablets for treating leishmaniasis, fungal infections

With an aim to treat fungal infections and leishmaniasis (kala-azar and black fever) prevalent in the country, researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have developed a method to produce controlled-release oral tablets.

The tablets were found to release the drug Amphotericin B in a sustained and controlled manner over a period of 10 days, read a statement from the institution.

"Amphotericin B (AmB) is the drug of choice for progressive and potentially life-threatening fungal infections of the abdomen and heart valves, fungal pneumonia, and leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. It is used to treat Kala Azar or black fever, a dangerous and often fatal form of Leishmaniasis, common among the economically underprivileged sections in states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh," the statement read.

It added that the development of oral, controlled-release tablets for fatal fungal infections and leishmaniasis, could help in better management of the disease burden in the country.

The development of cures for dangerous fungal diseases and leishmania has been challenging, IIT Hyderabad stated.

Professor Brahmchari who first used an antimony compound for treating kala-azar in the 1920s was even nominated for the Nobel Prize in 1929.

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