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

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently an unprecedented public health threat. The rapid spread of infections has led to calls for alternative approaches to combat the virus. Nanotechnology is taking root against SARS-CoV-2 through prevention, diagnostics and treatment of infections. In light of the escalating demand for managing the pandemic, a comprehensive review that highlights the role of nanomaterials in the response to the pandemic is highly desirable. This review article comprehensively discusses the use of nanotechnology for COVID-19 based on three main categories: prevention, diagnostics and treatment. We first highlight the use of various nanomaterials including metal nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles and magnetic nanoparticles for COVID-19. We critically review the benefits of nanomaterials along with their applications in personal protective equipment, vaccine development, diagnostic device fabrication and therapeutic approaches. The remaining key challenges and future directions of nanomaterials for COVID-19 are briefly discussed. This review is very informative and helpful in providing guidance for developing nanomaterial-based products to fight against COVID-19.

Application of nano compounds for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SARS-coronavirus: A review

“…In this respect, nanotechnology provides novel possibilities to advent approaches for COVID-19 prevention. Some examples of these procedures are masks, disinfectants, and nano carriers for vaccines [34].…”

“…Application of NPs for fighting against SARS-CoV-2 may consist of methods that prevent the entrance of virus in the host cell thereby causing viral deactivation. The prevention of the proteins of viruses can cause the death of the virus; thus, targeting NPs, special to virus expressed proteins, can reduce the viral incorporation [34].…”

“…Organic NPs have been used for transporting antiviral drugs like dapivirine, efavirenz, zidovudine, and acyclovir to improve drug delivery, drug bioavailability, and targeted antiviral function [60]. Antimicrobial drugs including ribavirin, ritonavir, remdesivir, chloroquine, and lopinavir have been examined in clinical tests of COVID-19 and have presented beneficial outcomes against SARS-CoV-2 [34]. The targeted ligand conjugated nanoparticle specially binds with virus epitopes which lead to virus inactivation, prevent the virus from entering the cells.…”

“…The viral particle can interact with several kinds of carbon-based nanomaterials, including SWCNT, activated carbons, nanodiamonds (ND), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphene, and GO. Their prospective usage for COVID-19 therapy is the removal of viruses from air and water via different valid approaches [142,143].…”

“…Because of the CQDs' interaction with the HCoV-229E receptors, the HCoV-229E blockage in host cells occurs. Moreover, the replication phase of viruses was also prevented [142].…”