2. Academic Validation
  3. Reviving the interest in the versatile drug nystatin: A multitude of strategies to increase its potential as an effective and safe antifungal agent

Reviving the interest in the versatile drug nystatin: A multitude of strategies to increase its potential as an effective and safe antifungal agent

  • Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2023 Aug:199:114969. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114969.
Filipa Sousa 1,  Cecília Nascimento 2,  Domingos Ferreira 3,  Salette Reis 4,  Paulo Costa 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: fsousa@ff.up.pt.
  • 2 UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: ceciliascimento@gmail.com.
  • 3 UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: domingos@ff.up.pt.
  • 4 LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: shreis@ff.up.pt.
  • 5 UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: pccosta@ff.up.pt.
PMID: 37348678 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114969
Abstract

Nystatin is an Antifungal molecule with a remarkable yet squandered versatility. In this review, its mechanism of action is explored, along with its extensive action spectrum and toxicity. A multitude of methodologies to tackle the drug's physical and chemical hurdles are outlined along with some proven-effective strategies to increase its activity and/or decrease its toxicity. A separate detailed section focused on micro and nanotechnology solutions addresses new drug delivery systems made of polymeric, metallic or lipid Materials. Although the topical route depicts greater representativeness amongst these formulations, the intravenous, dental, oral, vaginal and inhalation routes are also mentioned. The unsuccessful previous attempts at developing parenteral formulations of nystatin or even the withdrawal of a nystatin-loaded multilamellar Liposome should not divert research away from this drug. In fact, the interest in nystatin ought to be reawakened with the ongoing clinical trials on the promising nystatin-like genetically engineered derivate BSG005.

Keywords

Chemical modification; Degradation; Delivery systems; Fungal infections; Low solubility; Nanotechnology; Neglected diseases; Nystatin-like compounds; Resistance; Toxicity.

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