Recent Advances on Nanomaterials to COVID‐19 Management: A Systematic Review on Antiviral/Virucidal Agents and Mechanisms of SARS‐CoV‐2 Inhibition/Inactivation

Abstract

A novel beta-coronavirus, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), or the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was described as the causative agent of the pneumonia outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first reported in December 2019 in a local seafood market of Wuhan, Hubei province, China. [1,2] The same beta-coronavirus genus of SARS-CoV-2 was earlier the causative of viral pneumonia pandemics caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that emerged in 2002 in China and 2012 in the Arabian Peninsula, respectively. [3] The World Health Organization reported, globally, as of 30 January 2021, more than 101 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2 196 944 deaths. [4] Due to lockdown and quarantine, humanity is now facing its worst economic crisis since World WarThe current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is recognized as a public health emergency of worldwide concern. Nanomaterials can be effectively used to detect, capture/inactivate or inhibit coronavirus cell entry/ replication in the human host cell, preventing infection. Their potential for nanovaccines, immunoengineering, diagnosis, repurposing medication, and disinfectant surfaces targeting the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is highlighted. In this systematic review the aim is to present an unbiased view of which and how nanomaterials can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Herein, the focus is on SARS-CoV-2, analyzing 46 articles retrieved before December 31, 2020. The interface between nanomaterials is described, and the main mechanisms to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and viral inactivation are also discussed. Nanocarbons, biopolymeric, copper, and silver nanoparticles are potential antiviral and virucidal agents toward self-cleaning and reusable filter media and surfaces (e.g., facial masks), drug administration, vaccines, and immunodiagnostic assays. Trends in toxicology research and safety tests can help fill the main gaps in the literature and overcome health surveillance's challenges. Phytochemicals delivery by nanocarriers also stand out as candidates to target and bio-friendly therapy. Nanocellulose might fill in the gaps. Future research using nanomaterials targeting novel therapies/prophylaxis measures to COVID-19 and future outbreaks is discussed.

Could Nanotechnology Help to End the Fight Against COVID-19? Review of Current Findings, Challenges and Future Perspectives

“… 144 Eco-friendly nonspherical nanocellulose nanofiber is synthesized which is a sustainable, nontoxic, low-cost, and biocompatible carrier with antimicrobial effects. 145 Antibodies conjugated to biomaterial-based NP surfaces allow efficient and effective inflammatory marker removal caused by the cytokine storm. Chitosan, hyaluronic acid, PLGA, and mesoporous silica NPs can be used for surface conjugation to reduce the burden of SARS-CoV-2 cytokine storms.…”

Nanobiocide Based-Silver Nanomaterials Upon Coronaviruses: Approaches for Preventing Viral Infections

“…In the same case, Carvalho et al reported the most common NMs with anti‐coronavirus activity against animal and human COVs (Fig. 1 ) in a systematic review study [ 24 ]. It is worth bearing in mind, nanobiocides-based materials are metal and metal oxides, engineered/synthesized NMs, and natural antibacterial substances showing strong antimicrobial activity through diverse mechanisms [ 25 ].…”

Recent Progress in Nanotechnology for COVID-19 Prevention, Diagnostics and Treatment

“…These strategies include the development of nanomaterial-based (i) preventive measures and disinfectants, (ii) diagnostic tools for rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostics and (iii) therapeutic agents or vaccines to deliver antiviral agents into human body. In general, nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles are often less than one micrometer in size, which renders a high surface-to-volume ratio [ 8 ]. Other unique characteristics which include improved solubility and multifunctionality enable effective drug delivery, gene modifications as well as optimal interactions between target analyte and capturing molecules on sensors [ 9 ].…”

“…This comprehensive review article focuses on the most recent advances in nanotechnology for COVID-19 based on three main categories: prevention, diagnostics and treatment ( Table 1 , Figure 1 ), providing comprehensive survey about their usability and performance, which is distinct from the existing review papers where only parts of them were discussed [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In this review, we first discuss the use of various nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots for COVID-19.…”