title: Cell penetrating peptides as efficient nanocarriers for delivery of antifungal compound, natamycin for the treatment of fungal keratitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Enhancing the penetration ability of the antifungal drug natamycin, known to possess poor penetration ability through the corneal epithelium, by complexing with cell penetrating peptides.
  
  
  METHODS
  The drug, natamycin was conjugated to a cell penetrating peptide, Tat-dimer (Tat2). The uptake ability of the conjugate in human corneal epithelial cells and its antifungal activity against filamentous fungi, F.solani has been elucidated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cellular penetration ability of natamycin increased upon conjugation with Tat2. The conjugation between natamycin and Tat2 also lead to enhanced solubility of the drug in aqueous medium. The antifungal activity of the conjugate increased two- folds in comparison to unconjugated natamycin against clinical isolates of F.solani.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The formation of CPP-natamycin complex is clinically significant as it may enhance the bioavailability of natamycin in corneal tissues and aid in efficient management of fungal keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, Delhi, 110016, India.
authors.forename: Aastha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Sushmita G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chugh
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004337:Drug Carriers; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010866:Natamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010316:Particle Size; D012995:Solubility; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D004337:Drug Carriers; D010866:Natamycin