Polymers in the Medical Antiviral Front-Line

Abstract

Antiviral polymers are part of a major campaign led by the scientific community in recent years. Facing this most demanding of campaigns, two main approaches have been undertaken by scientists. First, the classic approach involves the development of relatively small molecules having antiviral properties to serve as drugs. The other approach involves searching for polymers with antiviral properties to be used as prescription medications or viral spread prevention measures. This second approach took two distinct directions. The first, using polymers as antiviral drug-delivery systems, taking advantage of their biodegradable properties. The second, using polymers with antiviral properties for on-contact virus elimination, which will be the focus of this review. Anti-viral polymers are obtained by either the addition of small antiviral molecules (such as metal ions) to obtain ion-containing polymers with antiviral properties or the use of polymers composed of an organic backbone and electrically charged moieties like polyanions, such as carboxylate containing polymers, or polycations such as quaternary ammonium containing polymers. Other approaches include moieties hybridized by sulphates, carboxylic acids, or amines and/or combining repeating units with a similar chemical structure to common antiviral drugs. Furthermore, elevated temperatures appear to increase the anti-viral effect of ions and other functional moieties.

Food packaging wastes amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Trends and challenges

“…The first includes the use of biopolymers as carriers of antiviral compounds. The second comprises the use of biopolymers containing antiviral fractions, such as amines, carboxylic acid, sulfates, phenols, among others ( Jarach et al, 2020 ). Although the second has been the focus of relevant research, the first has been shown to be more viable and will be the focus addressed below.…”

“…Most viruses have negative charges due to prototrophic groups (carboxyl, amino, guanidyl and imidazole). Antiviral cations bind to DNA, RNA, through virus membrane fitting channels, affecting their fixation and action ( Jarach et al, 2020 ). For example, the addition of Ag nanoparticles (10–80 nm) to acacia gum had antiviral action on Monkeypox and Tacaribe viruses ( Rogers et al, 2008 ; Speshock et al, 2010 ).…”

A review of the antiviral activity of Chitosan, including patented applications and its potential use against COVID‐19

“…The earlier review by Chirkov (2002) suggests that chitosan inhibits viral infections in animal cells, but gives little evidence. However, since then, several studies have reported that chitosan has antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus strain AD169 and H1N1 influenza A virus (Divya et al, 2017; Jarach et al, 2020). Intranasal preparation of chitosan was administered to BALB/c mice to stimulate the innate immune system against H7N9 Influenza viral infection that is normally highly pathogenic to humans.…”

Design strategies for antiviral coatings and surfaces: A review

“…Organic compounds, such as polymers, can be used as coatings [23] or as matrices for composites [34] . Antimicrobial fillers for the polymer coatings include nanomaterials with antimicrobial properties, such as metal compounds [ 34 , 35 ] or graphene-based materials [36] . Metallic coatings as fillers have also produced good results [37] .…”