Application of Nanomaterials as an Advanced Strategy for the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Viral Diseases

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic poses serious global health concerns with the continued emergence of new variants. The periodic outbreak of novel emerging and re-emerging infectious pathogens has elevated concerns and challenges for the future. To develop mitigation strategies against infectious diseases, nano-based approaches are being increasingly applied in diagnostic systems, prophylactic vaccines, and therapeutics. This review presents the properties of various nanoplatforms and discusses their role in the development of sensors, vectors, delivery agents, intrinsic immunostimulants, and viral inhibitors. Advanced nanomedical applications for infectious diseases have been highlighted. Moreover, physicochemical properties that confer physiological advantages and contribute to the control and inhibition of infectious diseases have been discussed. Safety concerns limit the commercial production and clinical use of these technologies in humans; however, overcoming these limitations may enable the use of nanomaterials to resolve current infection control issues via application of nanomaterials as a platform for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral diseases.

Nanoparticles in clinical trials of COVID-19: An update

“…A group of natural and synthetic antiviral molecules have been designed and these include peptides, chemical compounds and essential oils. These molecules show antiviral actions on different forms of virus [ 38 , 39 ].…”

“…In addition to this, enhancement of the antiviral molecule and this involves the blocking of viral protein and cellular receptors associated with viral infection cascades. Therefore, effective delivery of antiviral molecules is necessitated [ 38 , 39 , 42 ].…”

“…In order to rectify the limitations mentioned above, nanoparticle delivery systems have been used in the development of antiviral agents. The nanoparticle delivery systems enable constant systemic flow and maintained the liberation of antiviral molecules, therefore maximizing their therapeutic actions [ 38 , 43 ]. Different types of NPs have been employed in the development of nanoscale delivery systems and characteristics of these nanoparticles can be changed by regulating the size of the system, conjugating needed groups to the surface and controlling its surface charges [ 38 ].…”

“…The nanoparticle delivery systems enable constant systemic flow and maintained the liberation of antiviral molecules, therefore maximizing their therapeutic actions [ 38 , 43 ]. Different types of NPs have been employed in the development of nanoscale delivery systems and characteristics of these nanoparticles can be changed by regulating the size of the system, conjugating needed groups to the surface and controlling its surface charges [ 38 ]. A broad range of NPs, including lipid nanoparticles, AuNPs, polymeric NPs and AgNPs are often used as carriers for embedded antiviral molecules [ 38 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…Different types of NPs have been employed in the development of nanoscale delivery systems and characteristics of these nanoparticles can be changed by regulating the size of the system, conjugating needed groups to the surface and controlling its surface charges [ 38 ]. A broad range of NPs, including lipid nanoparticles, AuNPs, polymeric NPs and AgNPs are often used as carriers for embedded antiviral molecules [ 38 , 44 , 45 ]. These transporters can be functionalized with targeting groups, such as ligands, antibodies and receptors.…”