Antiviral nanopharmaceuticals: Engineered surface interactions and virus‐selective activity

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic has inspired large research investments from the global scientific community in the study of viral properties and antiviral technologies (e.g., self‐cleaning surfaces, virucides, antiviral drugs, and vaccines). Emerging viruses are a constant threat due to the substantial variation in viral structures, limiting the potential for expanded broad‐spectrum antiviral agent development, and the complexity of targeting multiple and diverse viral species with unique characteristics involving their virulence. Multiple, more infectious variants of SARS‐CoV2 (e.g., Delta, Omicron) have already appeared, necessitating research into versatile, robust control strategies in response to the looming threat of future viruses. Nanotechnology and nanomaterials have played a vital role in addressing current viral threats, from mRNA‐based vaccines to nanoparticle‐based drugs and nanotechnology enhanced disinfection methods. Rapid progress in the field has prompted a review of the current literature primarily focused on nanotechnology‐based virucides and antivirals. In this review, a brief description of antiviral drugs is provided first as background with most of the discussion focused on key design considerations for high‐efficacy antiviral nanomaterials (e.g., nanopharmaceuticals) as determined from published studies as well as related modes of biological activity. Insights into potential future research directions are also provided with a section devoted specifically to the SARS‐CoV2 virus. This article is categorized under: Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomediciney > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease

Potent Inactivation of Human Respiratory Viruses Including SARS-CoV-2 by a Photoactivated Self-Cleaning Regenerative Antiviral Coating

“…Specifically, electron excitation from 4f5d → 6 I j , then subsequent relaxation to 6 P j → 8 S 7/2 , results in emission around 316 nm (UVB region). However, the ETU process can happen in only Pr-doped samples, , as shown in Figure B. Li codoping improves upconversion efficiency by preventing cross-relaxation.…”

“…Despite some progress in this area of virucides, 30 products with regenerative and self-cleaning characteristics remain elusive. In consideration of these criteria, the present study combines the advantages of a localized UV radiation emission with a broad-spectrum, white light-absorbing agent to produce physicochemical disinfection without necessitating a dedicated power source or bulky instrumentation/apparatus.…”

From energy storage to pathogen eradication: unveiling the antibacterial and antiviral capacities of flexible solid-state carbon cloth supercapacitors

“…1,2 The ongoing worldwide COVID pandemic has increased the demand for materials with active antibacterial and antiviral properties for various applications. [2][3][4] Therefore, developing a new generation of antibacterial and antiviral platforms with a wide range of activity and sustained effectiveness has gained extensive interest. 5,6 Nanocarbon materials, such as single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes and graphene materials, have demonstrated antibacterial activities and gained interest as affordable and low-toxicity materials.…”

“…12,22,[26][27][28][29] It has been reported that nanomaterial surface modification based on charge (polarity and magnitude) shows a virucidal effect by disturbing the surface potential of viral particles and distorting the viral capsid via van der Waals and electrostatic interactions. 3,30,31 Applying an external low-voltage potential to different materials such as laser-induced graphene (LIG), 23,32,33 sulfur-doped LIG electrodes, 34 graphene-coated non-woven air filters, 35 Cu foam electrodes 36 and Co 3 O 4 nanowires 37 have been reported to kill bacteria and viruses. As an example, Ghatak, et al 1 have shown that a weak electric field (0.5 V) generated by an electroceutical fabric can disrupt the infectivity of coronavirus upon contact by destabilizing the electrokinetic properties of the virion.…”

“…1,2 The ongoing worldwide COVID pandemic has increased the demand for materials with active antibacterial and antiviral properties for various applications. 2–4 Therefore, developing a new generation of antibacterial and antiviral platforms with a wide range of activity and sustained effectiveness has gained extensive interest. 5,6…”