Posted by Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most promising technologies on account of its ability to deal with viral diseases in an effective manner, addressing the limitations of traditional antiviral medicines. A recent paper gave an overview on the developments in nanotechnology-based antiviral tharapeutics [1].
The initial part of the paper focuses on some important proteins of influenza, Ebola, HIV, herpes, Zika, dengue, and corona virus and those of the host cells important for their entry and replication into the host cells. This is followed by different types of nanomaterials which have served as delivery vehicles for the antiviral drugs. It includes various lipid-based, polymer-based, lipid–polymer hybrid–based, carbon-based, inorganic metal–based, surface-modified, and stimuli-sensitive nanomaterials and their application in antiviral therapeutics. The authors also highlight newer promising treatment approaches like nanotraps, nanorobots, nanobubbles, nanofibers, nanodiamonds, nanovaccines, and mathematical modeling for the future. The paper has been updated with the recent developments in nanotechnology-based approaches in view of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.
A subchapter reviews the cyclodextrin-based nanosystems used for delivery of antiviral drugs such as saquanavir and acyclovir.
1 Chakravarty, M., Vora, A. Nanotechnology-based antiviral therapeutics. Drug Deliv. and Transl. Res. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-020-00818-0
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