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

• Published in: Global challenges Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 2000115 - n/a
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Anna Paula A., Conte‐Junior, Carlos A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-05-2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: bioactive compounds; cell mechanisms; Coronaviridae; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Deactivation; Disinfectants; Filter media; Inactivation; Nanomaterials; nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Pandemics; Pathogenesis; polymeric nanoparticles; Prophylaxis; Public health; Review; Reviews; self‐cleaning surfaces; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Silver; Toxicology; Vaccines; Viral diseases; Viral infections; Viruses; China; cell mechanisms; self‐cleaning surfaces; bioactive compounds; nanomedicine; polymeric nanoparticles
• ISSN: 2056-6646; 2056-6646
• DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000115

The 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.
This systematic review addresses the potential and mechanisms of nanomaterials against the novel coronavirus. Nanocarbons, biopolymeric, copper, and silver nanoparticles stand out as potential antiviral and virucide agents toward self‐cleaning and reusable filter media/surfaces, drug administration, vaccines as prophylaxis/therapies options to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Nanoflora can be an alternative with fewer side effects to treat COVID‐19.