Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): An Alternative Approach for Combating COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 disease initially originated in Wuhan (China) and then spread worldwide has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Many attempts are ongoing to find an effective therapeutic treatment and vaccine to cure or prevent the disease, but the success is very little. Even some of the approved vaccines are also disputed for safety issues. This is the time where we should think of alternative treatments to control the disease effectively. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique that is widely used in cancer treatment and against various microbes. In this technique, a light-induced photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately killing the target cells. Considering these facts, an attempt has been made to review the current literature on viral inactivation using PDT approach. Accordingly, the mechanism of PDT action has been discussed, along with an update on the use of various photosensitizers (PSs) and nanoparticles. The capsid proteins and nucleic acid (RNA) of SARS-CoV-2 can be a possible target for PDT. To understand this interaction further, computational modeling studies have been discussed to help design effective PSs. Overall, the PDT technique has therapeutic potential and should be tested as a complementary or alternative treatment for control of COVID-19 using the PSs like curcumin, psoralen derivatives, riboflavin, etc. This review discusses COVID-19, its outbreak, diagnosis, the existing treatment modalities, and how PDT can be an effective alternative treatment for controlling the disease.

Carbon dots: Types, preparation, and their boosted antibacterial activity by photoactivation. Current status and future perspectives

“…This could generate ROS and heat causing damage to proteins, viral lipids, and nucleic acids, thus preventing their spread. Bhapkar et al (2021) and Sengupta and Hussain (2021) addressed CBM and their future potential in combating COVID-19. They mentioned that CBM, being biocompatible, having low toxicity, and the ability to inhibit RNA-type viruses, would improve their antiviral function by using PDT/PTT, which would be an inexpensive, simple and promising technique to combat SARS-CoV-2 very soon.…”

Photodynamic Therapy—An Up-to-Date Review

“…PDT has been reported to be effective in the inactivation of mammalian viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, herpes viruses, human parvovirus B19, human cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses [145][146][147]. PDT started to be intensively researched in the pandemic context as an alternative or complementary treatment strategy to target SARS-CoV-2 [34,[148][149][150][151][152]. The photodynamic effect can disrupt the membrane structures of the viral envelope, proteins, and RNA.…”

“…The photodynamic effect can disrupt the membrane structures of the viral envelope, proteins, and RNA. Hence, PDT is proving to be a powerful tool to inactivate infectious agents [34,152].…”

Recent Developments in Metallic Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy, Diagnosing and Imaging Applications

“…However, conventional PS may face a poor specific uptake in tumor cells, posing a threat on healthy neighboring tissues. Thus, involving nanotechnology in this type of therapy became fundamental for obtaining maximum results while avoiding side effects [11,16,178].…”