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Invasive fungal infections, an important cause of mortality, are primarily treated using amphotericin B, which is available in different formulations, both conventional and lipid-based (liposomal, lipid complex, colloidal dispersion and Intralipid infusion). The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of conventional amphotericin B vs its lipid-based formulations. A systematic review followed by pairwise meta-analysis was performed, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the use of lipid-based amphotericin B in patients with any degree of immunosuppression and susceptibility to invasive fungal infection. An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo databases. Extracted outcomes were related to efficacy (cure) and safety (incidence of adverse events). Results were evaluated and meta-analyses were performed. Twenty-three RCTs were identified (n=2677 participants) for meta-analysis. No significant differences between conventional amphotericin B and any of the five formulations evaluated were observed, with regard to the efficacy analysis. With respect to the adverse events of nephrotoxicity, fever, chills and vomiting, all lipid formulations presented better profiles than the conventional formulation. The present systematic review and meta-analysis showed that conventional amphotericin B presents the same efficacy profile as lipid-based formulations, although the latter were associated with a safer profile.

Impaired wound healing leads to infection and tissue necrosis. This has spurred the search for wound healing agents derived from natural and non-natural sources. Although natural products are widely used as lead compounds for the design of therapeutic drugs, few studies have looked for potential wound healing compounds in nature. In this review, we briefly discuss each phase of the wound healing process. Examples of natural and non-natural products with wound healing activities are listed, and the structure-activity relationship of fifty one compounds are described. An understanding of how these compounds exert their activities in biological systems is essential for their future development and application as wound healing agents.

Amphotericin B-Intralipid was identified as safer, cost-saving treatment in comparison with other formulations.