scholarly journals Antiviral Potential of Nanoparticles—Can Nanoparticles Fight Against Coronaviruses?

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangiliyandi Gurunathan ◽  
Muhammad Qasim ◽  
Youngsok Choi ◽  
Jeong Tae Do ◽  
Chankyu Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Organic Nanoparticles ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Low Probability

Infectious diseases account for more than 20% of global mortality and viruses are responsible for about one-third of these deaths. Highly infectious viral diseases such as severe acute respiratory (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are emerging more frequently and their worldwide spread poses a serious threat to human health and the global economy. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 27 July 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 16 million people and led to the death of more than 652,434 individuals as on 27 July 2020 while also causing significant economic losses. To date, there are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19. Hence, it is necessary to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines to help mitigate this pandemic. Non-Conventional antiviral agents must also be considered and exploited. In this regard, nanoparticles can be used as antiviral agents for the treatment of various viral infections. The use of nanoparticles provides an interesting opportunity for the development of novel antiviral therapies with a low probability of developing drug resistance compared to conventional chemical-based antiviral therapies. In this review, we first discuss viral mechanisms of entry into host cells and then we detail the major and important types of nanomaterials that could be used as antiviral agents. These nanomaterials include silver, gold, quantum dots, organic nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers and polymers. Further, we consider antiviral mechanisms, the effects of nanoparticles on coronaviruses and therapeutic approaches of nanoparticles. Finally, we provide our perspective on the future of nanoparticles in the fight against viral infections.

scholarly journals Development of Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents—Inspiration from Immunomodulatory Natural Products

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1257
Author(s):  
Mengxun Zhang ◽  
Jiaqing Zhong ◽  
Yongai Xiong ◽  
Xun Song ◽  
Chenyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
The Body ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Antiviral Effects

Developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs remains an important issue as viral infections continue to threaten public health. Host-directed therapy is a method that focuses on potential targets in host cells or the body, instead of viral proteins. Its antiviral effects are achieved by disturbing the life cycles of pathogens or modulating immunity. In this review, we focus on the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that enhance the immune response. Some natural products present antiviral effects mediated by enhancing immunity, and their structures and mechanisms are summarized here. Natural products with immunomodulatory effects are also discussed, although their antiviral effects remain unknown. Given the power of immunity and the feasibility of host-directed therapy, we argue that both of these categories of natural products provide clues that may be beneficial for the discovery of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

scholarly journals New Approaches and Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for the Treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Bauso Luana Vittoria ◽  
Chiara Imbesi ◽  
Gasparo Irene ◽  
Gabriella Calì ◽  
Alessandra Bitto
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
World Health ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Small Molecule Drugs ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Key Questions

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The outbreak of this coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan (Hubei, China) in December 2019, and it was declared as pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Today, several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been approved, and some neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are being tested as therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 but, one of the key questions is whether both vaccines and monoclonal antibodies could be effective against infections by new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nevertheless, there are currently more than 1000 ongoing clinical trials focusing on the use and effectiveness of antiviral drugs as a possible therapeutic treatment. Among the classes of antiviral drugs are included 3CL protein inhibitors, RNA synthesis inhibitors and other small molecule drugs which target the ability of SARS-COV-2 to interact with host cells. Considering the need to find specific treatment to prevent the emergent outbreak, the aim of this review is to explain how some repurposed antiviral drugs, indicated for the treatment of other viral infections, could be potential candidates for the treatment of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antiviral Agents

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Ratan ◽  
Fazla Rabbi Mashrur ◽  
Anisha Parsub Chhoan ◽  
Sadi Md. Shahriar ◽  
Mohammad Faisal Haidere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Characterization Methods ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
The Impact

Since the early 1990s, nanotechnology has led to new horizons in nanomedicine, which encompasses all spheres of science including chemistry, material science, biology, and biotechnology. Emerging viral infections are creating severe hazards to public health worldwide, recently, COVID-19 has caused mass human casualties with significant economic impacts. Interestingly, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited the potential to destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi using various methods. However, developing safe and effective antiviral drugs is challenging, as viruses use host cells for replication. Designing drugs that do not harm host cells while targeting viruses is complicated. In recent years, the impact of AgNPs on viruses has been evaluated. Here, we discuss the potential role of silver nanoparticles as antiviral agents. In this review, we focus on the properties of AgNPs such as their characterization methods, antiviral activity, mechanisms, applications, and toxicity.

scholarly journals Persistent viral infections in farm and companion animals: mechanisms of establishment and maintenance of viral persistence

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 353
Author(s):  
M. PAPANASTASOPOULOU (Μ. ΠΑΠΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ)
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
National Level ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Neoplastic Disease ◽  
Persistent Infections ◽  
Persistent Viral Infections

In persistent viral infections the responsible virus is not eliminated by the host's immune system, but it is maintained in infected cells for months, years or lifetime and it is excreted periodically or continuously. The carrier animal may either appear healthy or show clinical signs. The epizootiologic importance of persistent infections is of compelling interest, since the asymptomatic carriers become a permanent source of viral dissemination that can transport the virus across long-distances and reintroduce it into a given herd, region or country, where the disease had been eliminated. Moreover, a persistent viral infection may be reactivated and cause recrudescent episodes of disease, may lead to immunopathologic or neoplastic disease in the individual host and yet may be transmitted to other animals or to the humans via contaminated materials of animal origin. The economic losses are significant at both farm and national level. Fifty four RNA or DNA viruses induce persistent infections in farm and companion animals. In particular, 14 viruses cause persistent infections in bovines, 7 in small ruminants, 9 in swine, 11 in equines, 8 in cats and 5 in dogs. The majority of these infections are caused by retroviruses and herpesviruses. For a virus to establish and maintain persistent infection, it should have limited cytolytic action, it should be able to maintain its genome within host cells over time and to evade the immune defence mechanisms of the host. The preventive measures are largely based either on the immunization of susceptible animals or on the eradication of the disease by stamping-out policy. The currendy available vaccines are inactivated or live attenuated. Most of them are prepared by conventional methods, but they also exist those that are biotechnologicaUy engineered, such as vector vaccines marker vaccines or subunit vaccines. A major advantage related to the use of marker vaccines is that vaccinated animals can potentially be differentiated from the naturally infected ones by this process.

scholarly journals Synthetic Compounds with 2-Amino-1,3,4-Thiadiazole Moiety Against Viral Infections

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgeta Serban
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Pharmacological Profile ◽  
Synthetic Compounds ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Thiadiazole Derivatives ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Effective Medication

Viral infections have resulted in millions of victims in human history. Although great efforts have been made to find effective medication, there are still no drugs that truly cure viral infections. There are currently approximately 90 drugs approved for the treatment of human viral infections. As resistance toward available antiviral drugs has become a global threat to health, there is an intrinsic need to identify new scaffolds that are useful in discovering innovative, less toxic and highly active antiviral agents. 1,3,4-Thiadiazole derivatives have been extensively studied due to their pharmacological profile, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. This review provides an overview of the various synthetic compounds containing the 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety that has been evaluated for antiviral activity against several viral strains and could be considered possible prototypes for the development of new antiviral drugs.

scholarly journals Molecular Investigation of SARS–CoV-2 Proteins and Their Interactions with Antiviral Drugs

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Calligari ◽  
Sara Bobone ◽  
Giorgio Ricci ◽  
Alessio Bocedi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Viral Proteins ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Molecular Investigation ◽  
Docking Approach

A new Coronavirus strain, named SARS-CoV-2, suddenly emerged in early December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 resulted in being dramatically infectious, with thousands of people infected. In this scenario, and without effective vaccines available, the importance of an immediate tool to support patients and against viral diffusion becomes evident. In this study, we exploit the molecular docking approach to analyze the affinity between different viral proteins and several inhibitors, originally developed for other viral infections. Our data show that, in some cases, a relevant binding can be detected. These findings support the hypothesis to develop new antiviral agents against COVID-19, on the basis of already established therapies.

The Role of Antifungal and Antiviral Agents in Primary Dental Care

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Dental Care ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs

In comparison to the range of antibiotics used in medicine, the spectrum of antifungal and antiviral drugs used in primary dental care is relatively limited. In practical terms, there are only three antifungal agents and two antiviral agents that have a role. This paper will describe the clinical presentation of orofacial candidal and viral infections and the use of antimicrobial drugs in their management.

scholarly journals Plant-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides as Potential Antiviral Agents in Systemic Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Nour Mammari ◽  
Ysaline Krier ◽  
Quentin Albert ◽  
Marc Devocelle ◽  
Mihayl Varbanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Lipid Transfer ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules ◽  
Systemic Infections ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

Numerous studies have led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of viruses in systemic infections for the development of prevention strategies and very promising antiviral therapies. Viruses still remain one of the main causes of human diseases, mainly because the development of new vaccines is usually challenging and drug resistance has become an increasing concern in recent decades. Therefore, the development of potential antiviral agents remains crucial and is an unmet clinical need. One abundant source of potential therapeutic molecules are plants: they biosynthesize a myriad of compounds, including peptides which can have antimicrobial activity. Our objective is to summarize the literature on peptides with antiviral properties derived from plants and to identify key features of these peptides and their application in systemic viral infections. This literature review highlights studies including clinical trials which demonstrated that plant cyclotides have the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses causing human diseases, defensin-like peptides possess anti-HIV-1 activity, and lipid transfer proteins and some lectins exhibit a varied antimicrobial profile. To conclude, plant peptides remain interesting to explore in the context of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Mushroom: a potent source of natural antiviral drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91
Author(s):  
Jay Kant Raut
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Simplex Virus

Emerging viral infections such as the zika virus, dengue virus, ebola virus, corona virus are afflicting millions of human populations worldwide. Therefore, the development of new treatments against emerging infectious diseases has become an urgent task. The availability of commercially viable, safe, and effective antiviral drugs still remains a big challenge. Mushrooms are considered as an untapped reservoir of several novel compounds of great value in industry and medicine. Although exploration, and exploitation of the therapeutic importance of fungal metabolites has started early with the discovery of penicillin, mushrooms’s pharmacological potential has much less been investigated. This article briefly reviews the antiviral potentials of mushrooms to combat deadly disease outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging viruses. Altogether 69 mushroom species with potent antiviral agents and mode of action against prominent viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, influenza, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, corona viruses etc. are listed in this study. Further studies are encouraged to discover more novel potent antiviral agents or evaluate already known compounds from those mushrooms with clinical trials.

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