Development of precisely engineered albendazole nanocrystals with fine- tuned surface characteristics for potential selective drug delivery

Adult worms form reservoirs within the lymphatic vessels of an infected individual compromising the lymphatic system’s secondary function to maintain fluid balance within the body. Individuals infected with LF not only experience constant physical pain, but are emotionally and economically impacted, rejected from communities and excluded from job opportunities, due to social sigma.

The barriers of existing treatment include ineffective targeting of filarial lymphatic nests, due to the niche anatomical location, as well as pharmacokinetic issues such as low dissolution, erratic gastrointestinal uptake, and rapid clearance of ABZ, leading to delivery of sub-therapeutic concentrations. Formulation of ABZ nanocrystals (NCs) is a promising approach to enhance the biopharmaceutical properties of ABZ by increasing the saturation solubility and rate of dissolution while providing sustained delivery.