Polymeric Materials as Potential Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 caused a pandemic that triggered researchers worldwide to focus their research on all aspects of this new peril to humanity. However, in the absence of specific therapeutic intervention, some preventive strategies and supportive treatment minimize the viral transmission as studied by some factors such as basic reproduction number, case fatality rate, and incubation period in the epidemiology of viral diseases. This review briefly discusses coronaviruses' life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in a human host cell and preventive strategies at some selected source of infection. The antiviral activities of synthetic and natural polymers such as chitosan, hydrophobically modified chitosan, galactosylated chitosan, amine-based dendrimers, cyclodextrin, carrageenans, polyethyleneimine, nanoparticles are highlighted in this article. Mechanism of virus inhibition, detection and diagnosis are also presented. It also suggests that polymeric materials and nanoparticles can be effective as potential inhibitors and immunization against coronaviruses which would further develop new technologies in the field of polymer and nanoscience.

Cationic Chitosan Derivatives for the Inactivation of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Enveloped Viruses

“…42 The blocking of host cell receptor from viral entry can be achieved either via polymer binding to the host cell or the virus, both of which leads to a reduction in viral entry. 43 Unlike antibacterial drugs and materials, which may cover a wide spectrum of pathogens, antivirals are used to treat a narrower range of organisms. Hence, broad spectrum antiviral materials that can reduce the spread of viruses without developing resistance are needed to combat other epidemic viral infections.…”

Layer-by-Layer Assembly of a Polysaccharide “Armor” on the Cell Surface Enabling the Prophylaxis of Virus Infection

“…Thus, it is reasonable to infer that the chitosan played a key role in preventing cells from infection in the present study. According to the previously published work from another group, 43 our polysaccharide “armor” might act as a barrier either inactivating the virus by chitosan or forming steric hindrance at the cell surface in reducing virus entry into cells.…”

Glycopolymers against pathogen infection

“…In the light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, antiviral polymers have regained increasing attention, and a number of recent reviews from the last two years have highlighted the different types of anionic antiviral polymers, including glycopolymers, from their synthesis to biomedical applications. 99–101 Here, we highlight the review by Bianculli et al from the Schulze group on antiviral polymers, 102 a review by Huang et al from the Ding group on antiviral biomaterials, 103 a review by Jung et al from the Boyer group on bioactive polymers including antiviral and antibacterial polymers 104 and a review from our own group on polymers inspired by heparin and heparan sulfate and their use in antiviral therapy. 9 The following section will therefore only highlight very recent studies from the years 2020–2022 to complement these previous review articles.…”