Antiviral Activity of Nanomaterials against Coronaviruses

Macromol Biosci. 2020 Oct;20(10):e2000196. doi: 10.1002/mabi.202000196. Epub 2020 Aug 11.

Abstract

One of the challenges facing by world nowadays is the generation of new pathogens that cause public health issues. Coronavirus (CoV) is one of the severe pathogens that possess the RNA (ribonucleic acid) envelop, and extensively infect humans, birds, and other mammals. The novel strain "SARS-CoV-2" (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) causes deadly infection all over the world and presents a pandemic situation nowadays. The SARS-CoV-2 has 40 different strains that create a worrying situation for health authorities. The virus develops serious pneumonia in infected persons and causes severe damage to the lungs. There is no vaccine available for this virus up to present. To cure this type of infections by making vaccines and antiviral drugs is still a major challenge for researchers. Nanotechnology covering a multidisciplinary field may find the solution to this lethal infection. The interaction of nanomaterials and microorganisms is considered as a potential treatment method because the nanomaterials owe unique physicochemical properties. The aim of this review is to present an overview of previous and recent studies of nanomaterials against coronaviruses and to provide possible new strategies for upcoming research using the nanotechnology platform.

Keywords: COVID-19; CoV; MERS; SARS; nanoparticles; nanotechnology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / chemistry
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / pharmacology
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / therapeutic use
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use*
  • Quantum Dots
  • Silver / chemistry

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Silver
  • Gold