| abstract |
The invention provides conjugate-based antifungal or antibacterial prodrugs formed by coupling at least one anti-fungal agent or antibacterial agent with at least one linker and/or carrier. The prodrugs are of formula: (i) (AFA) m -X-(L) n ; (ii) [(AFA) m′ -X] p -L; (iii) AFA-[X-(L) n′ ] q ; or (iv) (AFA) m″ -X, wherein: AFA is an antifungal agent or an antibacterial agent; L is a carrier; X is a linker; m ranges from 1 to 10; n ranges from 2 to 10; m′ is 1 to 10; p is 1 to 10; n′ is 1 to 10; and q is 1 to 10, provided that q′ and n are not both 1; and m″ is 1 to 10. The invention also provides nanoparticles comprising the conjugate-based prodrugs. Additionally, the invention also provides non-conjugated antifungal and antibacterial agents in the form of nanoparticles. |