Nanoemulsions: The rising star of antiviral therapeutics and nanodelivery system—current status and prospects

Abstract

Nanoemulsions (NEs) of essential oil (EO) have significant potential to target microorganisms, especially viruses. They act as a vehicle for delivering antiviral drugs and vaccines. Narrowing of drug discovery pipeline and the emergence of new viral diseases, especially, COVID-19 have created a niche to use nanoemulsions (NEs) for augmenting currently available therapeutic options. Published literature demonstrated that EOs have an inherent broad spectrum of activity across bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. The emulsification process significantly improved the efficacy of the active ingredients in the EOs. This article highlights the research findings and patent developments in the last two years especially, in EO antiviral activity, antiviral drug delivery, vaccine delivery, viral resistance development, and repurposing EO compounds against SARS-CoV2.

Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems as promising carriers for patients with COVID-19

“…Very few investigations have shown the mode of action of nano-emulsion of some essential oils on some deadly viruses. 102 Most of the scientic papers prophesied that nano-emulsion of some essential oils could interfere with the virion envelope construction or mask the virus (COVID-19) building, which nally prevents COVID-19 adsorption and invasion into the host cells. 102,103 Liposomes.…”

“…102 Most of the scientic papers prophesied that nano-emulsion of some essential oils could interfere with the virion envelope construction or mask the virus (COVID-19) building, which nally prevents COVID-19 adsorption and invasion into the host cells. 102,103 Liposomes. Liposomes are cell-like lipid vesicles have an ordered phospholipid bilayer and possess a lot of advantages such as non-toxic, non-immunogenic, changing drug distribution in vivo, allowing sustained-release of drugs, elongating drug action time, enhancing drug treatment index, minimizing drug side effects, and entrapment of hydrophilic, ionic molecule, sand hydrophobic drugs.…”

“…(I) Nano-emulsions have the capacity to interfere with the virion envelope composition or mask the virus (SARS-CoV-2) building, which nally prevents SARS-CoV-2 adsorption and invasion into the host cells. 102 (II) Inside host cells, favipiravir carried by the nano-emulsion can interfere with the actions of the SARS-CoV-2 RNAdependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). 171 As such, we anticipate that favipiravir-loaded nanoemulsions could be capable of effectively-preventing SARS-CoV-2 adsorption and destroying its structure.…”

Nanoemulsions: Formulation, characterization, biological fate, and potential role against COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks

“…NEs have been formulated as disinfectants and sanitizers due to their aerosolization capacity [ 242 , 243 ]. NEs have also been formulated with various EOs that have broad antibacterial and antiviral properties [ 244 ] and could be used to produce surface disinfectants; however, this area requires further research.…”

Nanovaccines against Animal Pathogens: The Latest Findings

“…Optimising several key factors such as particle size and stability can maximise water concentration, oil phase, and modes of carrying. This system is an efficient vaccine adjuvant for enhancing the adaptive response and many nanoemulsions have been proven safe [ 140 , 141 , 142 ]. There are other promising nanostructures such as nanosponges (very small sized and having a porous structure) or extracellular vesicles which are well suited as new delivery and/or immunomodulatory systems.…”