Nanocarriers in the Delivery of Hydroxychloroquine to the Respiratory System: An Alternative to COVID-19

Abstract

: In response to the global outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2, this article aims to propose the development of nanosystems for the delivery of hydroxychloroquine in the respiratory system to the treatment of COVID-19. Performed a descriptive literature review, using the descriptors "COVID-19", "Nanotechnology", "Respiratory Syndrome" and "Hydroxychloroquine", in the PubMed, ScienceDirect and SciElo databases. After analyzing the articles according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, they were divided into 3 sessions: Coronavirus: definitions, classifications and epidemiology, pharmacological aspects of hydroxychloroquine and pharmaceutical nanotechnology in targeting of drugs. We used 131 articles published until July 18, 2020. Hydroxychloroquine seems to promote a reduction in viral load, in vivo studies, preventing the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into lung cells, and the safety of its administration is questioned due to the toxic effects that it can develop, such as retinopathy, hypoglycemia and even cardiotoxicity. Nanosystems for the delivery of drugs in the respiratory system may be a viable alternative for the administration of hydroxychloroquine, which may enhance the therapeutic effect of the drug with a consequent decrease in its toxicity, providing greater safety for implementation in the clinic in the treatment of COVID-19.

Application of Nanotechnology in the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…If the advantage of drug delivery through the nasal cavity is to act on the mucous membrane area where the infection occurs, then the lungs are an important organ for drug delivery because they are another target for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection, which infects primarily through the respiratory tract (the upper airways and lung). [255][256][257] Therefore, the use of inhaled aerosols is suggested as an effective non-invasive mode of administration. Additionally, the delivery of inhalable NPs to the lungs overcomes disadvantages, such as side effects caused by high drug concentrations in the serum with conventional oral or intravenous drug administration methods.…”

Nanotechnology Integration for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis and Treatment: An Approach to Preventing Pandemic

“…One of the benefits of administering medicine through the nasal cavity is that it affects the nasal cavity’s mucous membrane, where the infection is most prevalent. The lungs are the next target for COVID-19 infection treatment [ 175 , 176 , 177 ]. Inhaled aerosols can thus be utilized as a non-invasive and effective route of delivery.…”

The role of nanotechnology in current COVID-19 outbreak

“…Chloroquine shows antiviral efficacy through inhibition of endosome–lysosome fusion by endosomal pH enhancement, reduction of viral load and virus entrance to host cells, and suppression of PICALM involve in endocytosis [ 56 ] Therefore encapsulation of the hydroxychloroquine into the nanocarriers that deliver cargo to the respiratory system and decline systemic administration side effects such as retinopathy, myopathy, and heart diseases is valuable. The nanocarriers can be liposomes, polymeric NPs same as albumin NPs, micelles, etc [ 57 ].…”

“…Therefore, encapsulation of the hydroxychloroquine into the nanocarriers that deliver cargo to the respiratory system and decline systemic administration side effects such as retinopathy, myopathy, and heart diseases is valuable. The nanocarriers can be liposomes, polymeric NPs same as albumin NPs, micelles, etc [ 57 ].…”