An overview on nanoparticle-based strategies to fight viral infections with a focus on COVID-19

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to COVID-19 and has become a pandemic worldwide with mortality of millions. Nanotechnology can be used to deliver antiviral medicines or other types of viral reproduction-inhibiting medications. At various steps of viral infection, nanotechnology could suggest practical solutions for usage in the fight against viral infection. Nanotechnology-based approaches can help in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nanoparticles can play an essential role in progressing SARS-CoV-2 treatment and vaccine production in efficacy and safety. Nanocarriers have increased the speed of vaccine development and the efficiency of vaccines. As a result, the increased investigation into nanoparticles as nano-delivery systems and nanotherapeutics in viral infection, and the development of new and effective methods are essential for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this article, we compare the attributes of several nanoparticles and evaluate their capability to create novel vaccines and treatment methods against different types of viral diseases, especially the SARS-CoV-2 disease.

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 resulting in over 5.8 million deaths and over 414 million infected people recovering [1, 2]. Major COVID-19 infected patients have reportedly had mild to acute respiratory infections with symptoms such as fever, cough, and dyspnea, which might emerge 2–14 days afterward exposure to the infection [3, 4]. Public-health and non-pharmaceutical interventions have been important in reducing the speed of the prevalence of the COVID-19 infection. These interventions have been important in reducing the prevalence of the COVID-19, but given their considerable societal, economic and political expenses, substitute long-time solutions are required []. A vaccine remains the more encouraging one [5, 6]. Nanotechnology, with the advancement and usage of nanoparticles (NPs)/nanocarriers, has been broadly used in a diversity of fields [7,8,9]. The very small dimensions of NPs allow effective entry into living organizations. Additionally, nano biomedical knowledge has been the purpose of a considerable rate of consideration, such as efficient and targeted delivery of medicines, genes, and therapeutic molecules to particular organs or cells, imaging, and accurate diagnosis of viruses at initial steps [10, 11]. The NPs of silver, gold, silver sulfide, titanium oxide, zirconium, grapheme, and polymeric compositions can be utilized as a delivery system for vaccines, which have an extraordinary ability as compared to common antigen-based vaccines [12]. Furthermore, NPs have an essential function in antiviral treatment via increasing the transfer of hydrophobic medications and increasing medicine utilization effectiveness[13]. NP-based medicines can prevent viral diseases by inhibiting virus binding and entry into the cell, suppressing viral replication, and directly deactivating viruses. Different metal NPs, polylactic acid, etc., are broadly utilized for the therapy of COVID-19 [14].

In this paper, we discussed nanostructure, which is useful in the delivery and treatment of viral infection. In addition, this study focuses on several main features of SARS-CoV-2, including epidemiology, molecular structure, viral life cycle and immune characteristic of SARS-CoV-2, vaccine/treatment method, the role of NPs in improving prevention, and therapeutic strategies of COVID-19.

A brief overview of the important features of SARS-CoV-2 (epidemiology, molecular structure, and viral life cycle)

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are more divided phylogenetically into 4-sort, Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-, and Delta-CoV, and also human CoVs can be mostly separated into types, α and β-CoV [15,16,17]. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to β-CoVs [18, 19] and leads to the COVID-19 pandemic, which contains asymptomatic upper and lower respiratory tract diseases [20, 21]. In addition, there is powerful proof that COVID-19 in brain can lead to multiple neurological disorders and changes ranging from nonspecific to moderate to acute situations [22]. CoVs are positive-sense, single-stranded RNA (+ SS-RNA) [23]. The genome of this virus encodes several smaller open reading frames (ORFs). Structural proteins, including the spike (S) glycoprotein, envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) proteins, and nonstructural proteins (NSP) are encoded by ORF [24]. The replicase gene of SARS-CoV-2 encodes two overlapping polyproteins that are necessary for viral reproduction and transcription [25]. In the 5′-UTR part, approximately more than two-thirds of the RNA comprises ORF1a/b [26, 27]. The RdRp actions in a holo-RdRp produce the whole viral genome [23]. In addition, CoVs are the main protease due to their necessary function in processing polyproteins [28]. Triggering of S needs cleavage of S1/S2 through furin-like protease and undergoes a structural alteration from prefusion to postfusion. As soon as triggered, S pursues a classic pathway between class I fusion proteins: it undergoes considerable conformational rearrangements. including shedding its S1 subunit and incorporating the fusion peptide (FP) in the host cell membrane [29]. The S2 subunit is membrane-anchored and harbors the fusion system [30]. SARS-CoV-2 S protein bind to the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) host cell [31]. As soon as prosperous entrance, the genomic RNA (sgRNA) SARS-CoV-2 acts as a transcript and lets the cap-affiliate translation of ORF1a generating polyprotein pp1a [32]. Then, the structural proteins are incorporated into membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and transported to the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC). The encapsidated genome buds in the ERGIC create virions, which are afterward transported to the plasma membrane and discharged [33] (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

3D illustration of the structural and nonstructural protein of SARS-CoV-2 and target cell receptor (ACE2). In addition, this graphic demonstrates the entrance and replication (life cycle) of SARS-CoV-2 in target cells

To neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection and future prevalence, robust, repeatable, affordable, high time-efficient vaccines, and novel medicine formulations, also preventive techniques, must be produced and approved. With these issues in mind, NPs methods have been widely reported and encouraged globally as an approach to fight and inhibit COVID-19. Therefore, the SARS-CoV-2 infection needs a serious evaluation of available nanotechnologies. Also, nanomedicine methods are being utilized to produce vaccine carriers and therapy of SARS-CoV-2 [34].

Nanoparticles-based strategies to fight against viral infections

NPs based on organic and inorganic compositions have been broadly investigated as novel vaccine methods because of their capability to induce the immune response and prepare sustained antigen discharge afterward vaccine injection. NPs can also prepare a regulated and low-speed discharge of antigens, generating a depot at the injection location supplying possible preservation versus antigen destruction [35, 36]. NP-based vaccine transfer methods designed to meet these standards have multiple benefits over conventional vaccines; (1) entrapment of antigens in NPs inhibits antigen destruction and enhance their constancy; (2) co-entrapment of antigen and immunostimulatory factor in NPs improves immunogenicity and capability of vaccines; (3) antigen-presenting cells (APCs) can easily phagocytose and procedure particles; and (4) surface decorations of NPs with functional moieties and targeting ligands allow organ- and cell-particular binding to lymphoid organs and APCs [37] (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Summary of the pathways via which nanovaccines can create an immune reaction. a NPs can be utilized as a vaccine program for different infected illnesses because they can transport antigens and numerous immunostimulatory molecules (TLR ligands and adjuvants). The immunostimulatory action of nanovaccines is associated with different pathways, including the depot effect, gradual discharge of vaccine antigens, and absorption of antigen-offering cells. b Antigen transport via NPs (dimensions-related permeation and tissue or organ targeting). c Depot effect supplies a long-term and continuous discharge of constant antigen. d Cross presentation of the antigen transported via the NPs (cytosolic transport) triggers antigen particular cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Antigen-presenting cell (APC); endoplasmic reticulum (ER); T cell receptor (TCR) [38, 164]

Newly, nanomedicine was developed to entrap antiviral factors to (1) enhance pharmacokinetic parameters, and bioavailability, (2) increase medicine consistency, (3) regulate/sustain medicine discharge, (4) elective transport of medicine to a specific organ, and (5) pass the blood–brain barrier [38, 39]. The functional NPs can be utilized as a wide range of antiviral factors to inhibit the primary stage of viral disease, including viral binding to host cell receptors. The second method to inhibit viruses is obstructing their permeation and entrance to target cells via altering the external membrane of the cell and protein constructions. About virus entrance into the cell, destroying their reproduction is the third efficient method to prevent the virus, which is usually attained via inhibiting the expression of some enzymes that originally assist to complete the replication of the virus genome. The last approach prevents the virus budding and excreting it from host cells [40]. In addition, NPs are recently utilized as a new strategy to directly kill the viruses by directly damaging the structure of the virus [41].

Application of different nanoparticles against viral infections

NPs can be classified into two classes based on the ingredients of the structure: organic and inorganic [42, 43]. NPs as drug delivery systems, including antivirals, can suppress viral reproduction in host cells via discharged antivirals from NPs obstructing target cell receptors, and released antivirals from absorbed NPs in a target cell inhibit main viral replication stages containing transcription, replication of phage DNA and synthesis of protein, and assembly [44]. Potential mechanisms include neutralization of the virus per se or indirectly, inhibition of binding of viruses to target cells, and inhibiting viral reproduction; however, they relate to the shape and kind of NPs utilized [45] (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Several NPs function in treating the viral infection as antiviral factors and delivery factors. a Several types of inorganic and organic NPs. b The mechanism of the NPs as a delivery system. c The mechanism of the NPs as an antiviral

Organic nanoparticles

Purely organic NPs have several benefits over other available NPs methods, such as self-assembly of antigens and adjuvants in physiologically mild conditions, and chemical variety for adaptable a diversity of manners, combinations, dimensions, forms, and surface functionalization. This part will investigate novel advances in organic NPs vaccine transfer methods, such as polymeric NPs, liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, solid lipid NPs, and virus-like particles (VLPs) (Table 1).

Table 1 The function of several organic and inorganic nanoparticles in different viral infections

Polymeric nanoparticles

Polymeric NPs contain greatly biocompatible polymers, such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (T-lymphocyte epitopes), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polylactic acid (PLA). Via altering the combination of the copolymer in the polymeric NPs production procedure, these NPs can act as a depot in physiological situations for sustained discharge and presentation of antigen to APCs, which is necessary for mucosal injection [46, 47]. Ivermectin (IVM) medicine was entrapped in PLGA-b-PEG polymers NPs to inhibit of transmission of the Zika virus (ZIKV). The core–shell construction of these NPs lets them encapsulate and transport weakly water-soluble medicines, including IVM, leading to prolonged circulation half-life for the medication, discharge medicines at a sustained amount, and functionalization by targeting ligands to regulate the delivery system to target particular zones. This nanomedicine is administered through the oral route [48]. NPs can also directly interfere with and suppress viral replication via the multivalent presentation of small molecules that prevent viral assembly processes while selectively eliminating latently HIV-infected resting memory CD4 + T cells. [49]. Subsequently, T-lymphocytes-membrane-covered NPs (TNPs) inherit T lymphocytes surface antigens important for HIV targeting [50]. In other investigations, that incorporated the plasma membranes of uninfected CD4 + the resulting TNP mimicked the parent CD4 + T lymphocytes onto PLGA cores and T cells. This method induced autophagy in HIV-infected cells and decreased cell-related HIV-1 [49]. Multivalent peptide–polymer NPs, which is a dendritic polyglycerol scaffolds and excellent suited for a multivalent exposure, connecting with influenza A virus (IAV) via virus surface hemagglutinin to suppress attachment of the IAV to the target cell. In other investigations, investigators developed new polymeric NPs, densely combined with different ligands to selectively attach to ACE2, as advanced nanovectors for targeted medicine transfer such as remdesivir, in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Remdesivir-encapsulated in targeted NP (TNP) exhibited increased antiviral efficacy versus COVID-19. In addition, empty TNP showed an essential antiviral function, possibly owing to a direct competitive mechanism with viral particles for the ACE2 connection location [51]. Fluoxetine hydrochloride (FH), an antidepressant medication, can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. FH was encapsulated in lipid polymer hybrid NPs (LPH) to increase its effectiveness in the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection [52].

Liposomes

Liposomes are spherical nanocarriers containing one or multiple lipid bilayers prepared via hydrophilic and hydrophobic interplays with the aqueous phase. Two significant benefits of liposomes, in medicine transfer of living organisms, are biocompatibility and biodegradability, which are owing to lipid features [53, 54]. For example, Lipid NPs (LNP) have been used in the delivery of siVP35-3 for rhesus monkeys infected with the Ebola virus (EBOV), and these NPs increased the targeted therapy and stability of siRNA in this considerably fatal human infection [55]. Wang, et al. produced pulmonary surfactant (PS)-biomimetic liposomes entrapping 2′,3′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), an agonist of the IFN gene stimulus STING. The adjuvant (PS-GAMP) strongly completed influenza vaccine-elicited humoral and cytotoxic T lymphocyte immune reaction in mice via mimicking the primary stage of viral diseases lacking simultaneous surplus inflammation. Two days afterward, inhalation injection by PS-GAMP-adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine, powerful cross-preservation was induced versus H1N1 viruses for at minimum 6 months, whereas protecting lung-inhabitant memory and cytotoxic T lymphocytes [56]. In other investigations, developed RBD-encoding mRNA (RBD-mRNA) encapsulated in liposomes (LPX/RBD-mRNA). This method can express RBD in vivo and effectively elicit SARS-CoV-2 RBD particular antibodies in the injected mouse model, which effectively inhibits COVID-19 [57]. Researchers are developing the COVID-19 vaccine with three different lipophilic adjuvants encapsulated in liposomes. The results showed that MPLA-adjuvanted liposome NPs vaccines whole elicited a strong particular antibody reaction against SARS-CoV-2 infection [58].

Micelles

Micelles are spherical NPs delivery systems combined with a surfactant monolayer, and their dimensions are the limited area between 10 and 1000 nm. Polymeric micelles (PMs) are colloidal delivery methods prepared via the molecular gathering of block copolymers with amphiphilic properties in a watery medium. PMs are known for their excellent medicine-loading capability and exclusive disposition features in the body. The determined chemistry of the block copolymers leads to the chemical combination of several medicines with polymeric chains [59]. For example, soluplus or solutol polymeric micelles have been used to enhance acyclovir solubility, corneal penetrance, and sclera permeation of drugs for cornea and sclera tackling with herpes simplex virus (HSV). Solutol micelles enhanced their size when combined with drugs. In this method, quantities of medication penetrated via the sclera were approximately 10 times higher than free drug, which opens the probability of medicine transfer to the posterior eye section [60]. The receptor connection and proteolysis of the S protein of COVID-19 discharge its S2 subunit to rearrange and catalyze viral-cell fusion. SARS-CoV-2 S proteins fusion peptide alters from inherent rearrange in solution into a wedge-formed conformation incorporated in bilayered micelles, based on chemical changes [61]. S protein comprises a single-span transmembrane (TM) domain and is important for viral infection. This TM domain was reconstructed in detergent micelles. Though this type of micelles may not be a perfect method for constructional and functional investigations of membrane proteins, used as a beneficial membrane method to comprehend the second construction of a membrane protein [62].

Dendrimers

Dendrimers are highly branched structures containing dendron monomers. These symmetrical macromolecules have a limited dimension of 10 to 100 nm. Dendrimers have diverse functional groups on their surfaces, and they inhibit virus penetration to cells by their interaction with viral particles and cell protection via their different functional groups [63, 64]. Three kinds of polycationic dendrimers comprising primary amine were utilized to evaluate their antiviral function with the MERS‐CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) plaque suppression test. The hydroxyl polyanionic group demonstrated a 17.36% to 29.75% reduction in MERS‐CoV plaque forming. The most effective suppression of MERS‐CoV plaque-forming was observed via G (1.5)‐16COONa (40.5% repression), followed via G(5)‐128SA (39.77% repression). Polyanionic dendrimers can be added to antiviral provisions to increase the transport of antivirals, and also the inherent antiviral action [64]. DanielSepúlveda-Crespo, et al. developed a cell-based method to screen a battery of polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers (PCDs) to recognize complexes with antiviral activity versus HCV and display that they prevent efficient virus infusion of main HCV genotypes. Remarkably, one of the PCDs permanently destroyed infectious virions [65]. In other investigations, produced a treatment method for SARS-CoV-2 infection by using an improved anti‐COVID-19 siRNAs encapsulated in a new safe peptide dendrimer KK‐46 as a delivery system. The result showed that topical therapy via intranasal injection of the improved siRNA‐peptide dendrimer formulation can decrease viral reproduction and improve COVID-19‐induced lung inflammation [66]. Orpheris company is evaluating a remedial including N-acetyl-cysteine connected to the inactive dendrimer OP-101 in acute SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. In a stage II clinical trial (NCT04458298), this treatment method was shown to decrease SARS-CoV-2-dependent inflammatory cytokine storms [67].

Solid lipid nanoparticles

Solid lipid NPs (SLNs), are solid core lipid nanocarriers, which can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic medicines. The unique property of SLNs is that they can deliver a diversity of treatment agents such as small medicine molecules, big biomacromolecules, genetic substantial, and vaccine antigens [68]. SLNs have been used in acyclovir delivery to treat HSV. As a result, this investigation displayed that the developed one dosage acyclovir SLNs have shown comparative efficiency to the multiple-dosage regimen of conservative acyclovir. And also, these NPs have the capability carriers for oral treatment in the therapy of HSV-1 infection [69]. Researchers produced a novel aerosolized SLNs-formulation of favipiravir (FPV) as an antiviral factor versus SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that FPV-SLNs were suitable for intranasal injection [70].

Other organic nanoparticles

“Vaults” are everywhere expressed endogenous ribonucleoprotein NPs by possible usefulness to selective medicine delivery. Human vaults are barrel-formed NPs with outside layers organized of 78 versions of the major vault protein (MVP), which equal non-covalently C- to N-end to prepare the general vault construction. Fulcher et al. used recombinant human vault NPs to target the delivery of antiviral medicines, including zidovudine, tenofovir, and elvitegravir, which are without an intermediary connection to vaults, in HIV-1. This drug delivery system is useful for effectively targeting the human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), mainly DCs, monocytes/macrophages, and triggered T lymphocytes [71]. Rungrojcharoenkit et al. produced influenza NP structures utilizing trimethyl chitosan NPs (TMC NPs) as the delivery system of recombinant influenza hemagglutinin subunit 2 (HA2) and nucleoprotein. The isolated HA2 and recombinant nucleoproteins were entrapped in TMC NPs to create HA2-TMC NPS and nucleoprotein-TMC NPs, in order. TMC NPs encapsulated with influenza subunit antigens or all deactivated influenza virus enhanced immune reactions and the efficacy of inhalation route injected vaccines in the mice. HA2-TMC NPs, nucleoprotein-TMC NPs, and HA2-nucleoprotein-TMC NPs (influenza NPs structures) displayed no toxicity in human intranasal epithelium cells (HNEpCs) [72]. Researchers are designing phage capsid NPs as hard scaffolds which are functionalized via a conformationally determined offering of the sialic acid (Sia) ligands to couple the connection location of the trimeric hyaluronic acid (HA). These capsid NPs coat the whole IAV envelope, inhibiting its targeting of the target cell as imagined via cryo-electron tomography [73]. Nanocellulose/polyvinyl alcohol/curcumin (CNC/PVA/curcumin) NPs were produced as a nanotechnology treatment method with increased medicine loading for intranasal injection of antiviral agents SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that the increased loading of curcumin in nanocellulose will supply an encouraging NPs-based solution for the therapy of SARS-CoV-2 infection [74]. In other studies, nano entrapped polyphenolic compounds were developed as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19. These compounds were entrapped in moieties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and next were covered via chitosan as a mucoadhesion polymer. NPs created with BSA have features such as non-toxicity, well consistency, great medicine capacity, and potential to entrap hydrophobic and hydrophilic medicines [75].

Inorganic nanoparticles

The majority of inorganic NPs have a smaller dimension, enhanced constancy, regulated adjustable, increased penetrance, excellent medicine loadings, and an activated discharge profile, perfect for antigen transport as a vaccine. These novel productions are usually produced with an inorganic core and an organic outside covering to provide hybrid inorganic NPs [76] (Table 1).

Gold nanoparticles

Gold NPs (AuNPs) can have a main function in the vaccine field as adjuvants, decreasing toxicity, increasing immunogenic action, and developing consistency of vaccine in storing, and have a high ability as delivery systems for the creation of a high variety of completely synthetic vaccines [77, 78]. When preparing AuNPs, methods, dimensions, and form have an essential effect on antigen exposure, cellular absorption, blood clearance, bio-distribution, and immunological reaction [79]. IFN-alpha delivery, along with AuNPs and HA, has been used in the therapy of HCV. HA-AuNP/IFN-α compound considerably increased the expression of 20, 50-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) for innate immune reactions against viral disease in the liver tissue [80]. Halder et al. developed quasi-spherical AuNPs by utilizing ultrasound-induced fast decrease in gallic acid (GA), resulting in greatly monodispersed AuNPs (GAuNPs) for inhibited HSV infections in Vero cells. GAuNPs inhibited viral binding and fusions in the Vero cells. Nontoxic and biocompatible AuNPs were offered as a harmless alternative in viral chemotherapy [81]. In other investigations, researchers developed a particular S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 epitopes conjugated with AuNPs. The results showed that subcutaneous injection of this nanovaccine increased the humoral response [82]. Chen, et al. suggested a vaccine that binds the immunomodulation of AuNPs, capped with polysaccharide that has antiviral attributes, encapsulated with S or N proteins from SARS-CoV-2 [83].

Silver nanoparticles

Silver NPs (AgNPs) are the most efficient in conflict with pathogenic among all metallic NPs [84]. Several investigations have shown that AgNPs could simply enter living cells. The dimensions and form of AgNPs play a very significant role in antiviral action. Numerous researches have displayed that those sizes smaller than 10 nm generate much more reactive surfaces. The shape can also differ—for instance, triangular, bar, or spiral—which strongly influences the mechanism of the viral act; those of the sphere-shaped and cylinder-shaped kinds are more phagocytosed [85]. These NPs bind to the viral genome and as a result inhibiting the action and interaction of several viral and cellular agents responsible for replication leading to the suppression of viral replication and virus release [86]. In other studies, Madin-Darby canine kidney cells infected by AgNP-remedied H3N2 influenza virus displayed higher survival and no apparent cytopathic effects contrasted with an influenza virus healthy group and a group remedied by the solvent utilized for the provision of the AgNPs. These NPs remarkably suppressed the H3N2 replications and decreased cell apoptosis created by the H3N2 influenza virus [87]. In other research, spherical AgNPs with a size of 25 nm can inhibit Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) early infection via per se annihilating virion subunits; it as well successfully prevents colony development and relatively suppresses the growth of KSHV-related primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) tumors in xenograft mouse [88]. In other investigations, AgNPs were evaluated in vitro and demonstrated to have a preventing efficacy on COVID-19 in cultured cells. Therefore, researchers evaluate the effectiveness of mouthwash and nose rinse with ARGOVIT® AgNPs, in the inhibition of COVID-19 in health personnel. The results showed that the mouth and nasal rinse by AgNPs assist in the inhibition of COVID-19 in health workers who are exposed to patients detected with SARS-CoV-2 infection [89]. In other investigations, researchers developed green synthesized AgNPs by utilizing strawberry and ginger methanolic extracts to suppress COVID-19. The methanolic strawberry extract and the green synthesized AgNPs of ginger demonstrated the most excellent antiviral acting versus COVID-19 [90].

Other inorganic nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica NPs (MSNs) are nanoporous silica globes 100–200 nm in diameter with holes filled with natural prodrugs, functionalized by amino groups, and filled by natural compounds of shikimic acid (SH), quercetin (QR) (The MSNs-NH2-SH and MSNs-NH2-SH-QR2) or together, which showed a powerful antiviral reaction against H5N1 infection. These NPs repressed cytokines and nitric oxide generation through about 50% for MSNs-NH2-SH-QR2 (comprising both SH and QR) [91]. Thermally hydrocarbonized porous silicon (THCPSi) has been used in saliphenylhalamide (SaliPhe) delivery to inhibit IVA in vitro. NPs drugs delivery system based on porous silicon indicated enhanced dissolution of the researched IAV inhibitor medicine SaliPhe and demonstrated great in vitro resistance, less cytotoxicity, and a significant decrease of viral load in the lack of organic solvents [92]. Agelidis et al. demonstrated that exclusively produced zinc oxide (ZnO) tetrapod NPs (ZOTEN) display a powerful microbivac effect versus HSV-2 in a murine sample of genital infection. These NPs are capable of attacking the virus subunits and influencing the host immune system, showing their new and multifunctional antiviral attributes with hopeful preventive and therapeutic efficacy [93]. Surface altered selenium NPs (SeNPs) via arbidol (Se@ARB) by better viral inhibition features than medicine resistance produced in a trial. Se@ARB affected the interplay between the H1N1 influenza virus and the target cells by repressing the acting of HA and neuraminidase (NA). In addition, this treatment method could inhibit H1N1 from transmitting the infection to MDCK cells and repress DNA destruction and chromatin condensation [94]. Iron oxide NPs (IO-NPs) are used to inhibit the pandemic influenza strain A/H1N1/Eastern India/66/PR8-H1N1. The viral inhibition function of the IO-NPs was shown to the reduced proportion of viral suspensions afterward therapy by the IO-NPs. The antiviral activity of IO-NPs displayed more excellent suppression at a lesser dose can be owing to small dimensions that simply react to the virus [95].

AuNPs, AgNPs, CuNPs, ZnNPs, and Fe2O3 NPs are efficient versus COVID-19. A potential mechanism of function of these NPs versus CoVs is a disorder of the outer surface of CoVs. The Ayurvedic Bhasma formations are innovative metal NPs. These metal NPs are nontoxic, constant in the solid phase, and have a great biological function. Ayurvedic metal NPs, could be used as new antiviral factors versus COVID-19 for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and adjuvant functions [96]. Other investigations, showed that different graphene-NPs (GNPs), including intact graphene (IG), defective graphene (DG), and graphene oxide (GO), suppressed SARS-CoV-2M proteins. DG and GO interfered with M protein more powerfully, leading to disabling M proteins and suppressing their expression efficiently via annihilating the active pocket of M protein [97].

SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology (innate and adaptive immune response)

Innate immunity commenced by detecting pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The IFN-I pathway is an essential section of the innate immune reaction. PRRs diagnose many viruses, and this detection activates a downstream antiviral cascade such as microRNAs antiviral action [94, 98, 99]. The CoVs ds-RNA could be recognized via the retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors (RLRs), comprising the RIG-I and, or melanoma differentiation gene 5 (MDA5) into the cytoplasm, or via TLRs within the endosome. The 2 caspase recruitment domains (CARD) of RIG-I and MDA5 could react to the adapter mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), which consequently induces the 2 IKK-associated kinases, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), and inducible IκB kinase (IKKi), together of which phosphorylate IFN regulatory factor 3/7 (IRF3/7). Afterward phosphorylation and dimerization, IRF3/7 replaces in the nucleus to trigger the expression of IFN-α/β. Simultaneously, MAVS induces TANK1 via TRAF6 and triggers the NF-κB signaling mechanism, which could increase cytokines generation. On the other hand, PAMPs could be recognized via TLRs, and the downstream adapter proteins TRIF or MyD88 could signal to activate cytokines and chemokines generation [100]. Signaling at these cell receptors stimulates cytosolic translocation of several nuclear transcription agents, including NF-kB and the activating protein-1 (AP-1) to the cell nucleus, the transcription of genes, and expression of critical inflammatory reaction proteins, including CRP, proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines, also discharge of soluble agents related on the IFN protein stimulator gene (ISGs) that encodes IFNs function in virus regulator, activation anti-virus mode [101]. Afterward viral induction, IFNs are induced via the detection of PAMPs with PRRs, endosomal (TLR3 and TLR7), and cytosolic (RIG-I) receptors, such as triggering and phosphorylation of the JAK/STAT pathway and the creation of the heterotrimer compound STAT1-STAT2-IRF9 (ISGF3) that is involved in the stimulation of the genes accountable for the reactions to IFNs in the promoter section of the ISG. STAT1/2 generate a compound with IRF9, and together they transfer to the nucleus to begin the transcription of ISGs under the regulation of IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) comprising promoters (Fig. 4) [101].

Fig. 4

This illustration demonstrates the possible immunopathogenesis in COVID-19 infection (innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and humoral immunity)

In COVID-19 infected patients, the reports have shown that primary plasma measures of IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-ɣ, monocyte chemoattractant peptide (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1A, MIP-1B, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and TNF-α are enhanced in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the rate of helper T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes inhibitor (CD3+, CD8+), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are lower than normal rates; however, T helper and Tregs in acute patients are significantly lesser than in mild cases [102, 103]. The SARS-CoV-2 binding to the target cell by the ACE-2 and is recognized (essentially) via TLR7. TLR7 activity results in the generation of IFN-α, and the release of IL-12 and IL-6. This leads to the creation of CD8 + -particular cytotoxic T lymphocytes and, via the CD4 + lymphocytes, results in the generation of antigen-particular B lymphocytes and antibody generation (IgM, IgG, and IgA (pan-immunoglobulin (pan-Ig)). In TLR7 signaling-associated cytokine discharge, IL-6 can play a significant function. It is essential in the formation of follicular CD4 + lymphocytes, TH17 subgroup deflection, and the creation of prolonged lived plasma cells [104].

Therapeutic and prevention procedures of the SARS-CoV-2 infection

Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome make it challenging to produce treatment methods. On the other hand, the high prevalence of this virus has led to the rapid development of an effective treatment method [105]. Therefore, different medical, social, and engineering techniques have been proposed to face the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence that contains treatment, prevention, diagnosis, and prediction methods. In addition, essential therapies were presented, including antiviral medicines (e.g., dexamethasone [106], Favipiravir [107], and Remdesivir [108]), antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and antibody therapy [109, 110]. In addition, utilized convalescent plasma technique for the therapy of COVID-19, which is an immunotherapy method by viral-particular antibodies [111]. Mainly, SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to remarkable injury to the lungs; therefore, pulmonary medication transfer must be included as a curative method for important action. In this context, aerosol-based intranasal injection route designs might be an improved method which is not only patient compliant but can as well show the quick relief over a specified period. In its pure form, bilirubin has difficulties with its solubility; therefore, its injection in NP form provides improved solubility and enhanced effectiveness. Bilirubin nanomedicine (BNM) as aerosol-based medication delivery method can carry payload directly to the lungs and decrease the complications of SARS-CoV-2 leading to enhanced patient condition [112].

Based on reports of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Jan. 31, 2022, vaccine candidates were in clinical assessment to remedy COVID-19, 114 vaccines in clinical assessment, and 48 candidate vaccines have attained the final phases of the trial [5, 113]. These vaccines include inactivated vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, vector vaccines, and subunit vaccines. Inactivated vaccines are broadly utilized to inhibit emerging infectious diseases (EID), and the partly great speed of the generation of this type of vaccine makes it a hopeful method for COVID-19 vaccine production [114, 115]. These vaccines are complete virus formations that are chemically inactivated with beta-propiolactone and formaldehyde. However, they are no longer replication-ability, virus integrity is protected, and acts as an immunogen that is S-particular, RBD-particular and N-particular. When injected, inactivated vaccines induce preservative immune reactions against the pathogen. This type of vaccine is obtained from viruses grown in culture and next chemically inactivated, which can deliver stably expressed, structurally native antigenic epitopes (such as Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines) [116]. Nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) vaccines are facile to produce, which allows their fast progress as vaccines. The genome encoding for a specific protein can be simply formed as DNA or RNA and introduced in human cells to generate several copies of the immunostimulatory viral antigenic proteins. These antigens, firstly encoded via the nucleic acid, can induce both humoral and cell-mediated immune reactions upon expression following cellular absorption. This type of vaccine has self-adjuvating attributes and hence can generate both adaptive (antigen-based) and innate immune reactions. In contrast, most other vaccine kinds require an adjuvant to attain a similar purpose. Nucleic acid-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may have benefits over conventional vaccines such as (1) The great power of mRNA vaccines is able of producing potent antiviral neutralizing antibodies via triggering both CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells with only one or two low-dose vaccinations; (2) Due to its destruction procedure in cells, mRNA-based vaccines decrease the danger of infection and mutations are caused by insertion [117]. Vector vaccines can be widely divided into two categories: replication-incompetent vectors and replication-incompetent vectors vaccines. Replication-incompetent vectors show a big group of vaccines in expansion. This type of vaccine is usually based on another virus that has been designed to express the S protein and has been inactivated from reproduction in vivo via the elimination of sections of its genome. Replication-competent vectors are usually derived from weakened or vaccine strains of viruses that have been prepared to express a transgene, in this case, the S protein. Since viral vector vaccines lead to endogenous antigen generation, they are more likely to stimulate both humoral and cellular immune reactions. These vaccines can be advanced and generated rapidly on a wide-ranging and do not need extremely low temperatures for transport and storing. However, pre-existing immune reactions to the vector can restrict the capability of the vector to carry genetic material to target cells and thus decrease the efficiency of the vaccine [118,119,120]. Subunit vaccines are vaccines produced based on synthetic peptides or recombinant proteins. Dissimilar to inactivated or live-attenuated viruses and certain viral vectored vaccines, this vaccine kind mainly comprises particular viral antigenic parts; however, without containing each ingredient of infectious viruses, removing the worries of imperfect inactivation, improve pathogenicity, or pre-existing immune reaction. Like DNA or VLP-based vaccines, subunit vaccines are usually harmless without causing possible adverse immune reactions, making them hopeful vaccine candidates. Furthermore, subunit vaccines may target particular, well-defined neutralizing epitopes with enhanced immunogenicity and, or effectiveness. For example, Novavax has advanced and generated immunogenic virus-like NPs based on recombinant expression of the S-protein, while Clover Biopharmaceuticals is producing a subunit vaccine containing a trimerized SARS-CoV-2 S-protein utilizing their patented Trimer-Tag® method, though some full-length S-proteins for SARS as well cause enhanced infection and eosinophilic penetration [5, 121] (Table 2).

Table 2 Specifications of some SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the advanced clinical development phase

Nanoparticle vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

Nanovaccinology has been used in preventive and remedial methods and can be utilized for each enhancement antigen processing or offering and, or as an immunostimulatory adjuvant [122]. Main NPs platforms contain lipid base NPs (LNPs) and VLPs. LNPs comprising ionizable lipids have been used widely to transport genetic compositions owing to their excellent loading valence, and excellent transfection performance VLPs are non-infected virus-mimicking particles created via the self-assembly of protein monomers combined with viral capsid proteins [123]. Furthermore, the general impression of “nanoimmunity via design” can assist us to create substances for immune regulation, either inducing or inhibiting the immune reaction, which would find usages in the vaccine production for COVID-19 or in neutralizing the cytokine storm, in order [124]. Animal trials helped the technological comprehension of how these novel kinds of nanovaccines work. Furthermore, some of these nanovaccines candidates have entered clinical studies next to the initial assessment in animal models, of which NPs based vaccines are hopeful vaccine candidates. The Moderna and Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 infection vaccines, more than 90% efficient against COVID-19 in humans, apply the mRNA to generate the viral S protein found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 [125, 126].

Lipid-based nanoparticles vaccines

Conventionally, mRNA has not been utilized as a remedial factor since it is greatly unconstant and triggers the innate immune responses when administered. In addition, to enter the host cells, mRNA needs a delivery system to pass the cell membrane [127]. Moreover, the average half-life of mRNA vaccines reduces with enhancing temperature, which is a problem for their long time storing. However, chemical alteration by using an external covering of nonionic or an ionic surfactant improves the thermal constancy of mRNA. These chemical modifications alter the sizes of a NP and help in the efficient carrying of mRNA with greater thermal constancy [128]. Consequently, researchers are developing NPs delivery system that contains LNPs that entrap the mRNAs coding for the monoclonal antibody. This RNA-treatment method steadies the mRNA and can be administered recurrently, causing sustained generation of antibodies evading the efficacy of the innate immunity versus exogenous RNA. Additionally, the LNPs increase their mucosal and cellular absorption. Moreover, the positively charged LNP results in electrostatic absorbency to the negative charge of the mucosal membranes, decreasing their release via the mucosal cilia [127]. For example, Moderna’s mRNA vaccine is based on an LNP method [129]. This method was newly proceeded via Moderna to generate vaccine methods versus COVID-19 via utilizing mRNA-1273, encoding viral S protein [130]. BNT162b2 is the first vaccine based on the LNP-mRNA method and mRNA encoding the S protein locked in its pre-fusion structure [131]. In other investigations, mRNA (RNActive®) based vaccines (CVnCoV), include sequence optimum mRNA coding to a fixed shape of S protein entrapped in LNP. No vaccine-associated acute side effects were detected. Immune reactions, when evaluated as IgG antibodies versus S protein or its RBD via ELISA, and COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) evaluated via micro-neutralization, showed dose-affiliate enhancement. Primary outcomes demonstrated that CVnCoV is as well as safe and excellent tolerated in tested individuals, and is capable of enhancing the pre-existing immune reaction even at fewer dosage amounts [132]. Other studies, developed self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) entrapped in LNP as a vaccine. These vaccine immunizations stimulate a Th1 biased reaction in the mouse model, and there is no antibody-related increase detected. In addition, they identified significant cellular responses, as determined via IFN-γ generation, upon re-stimulation by COVID-19 peptides [133]. Uri Elia et al. developed an mRNA vaccine, based on LNPs-entrapped COVID-19 virus human Fc-combined RBD (RBD-hFc). Intramuscular injection of this vaccine induced a strong humoral reaction, a significant amount of NAbs, and a Th1-biased cellular reaction in the BALB/c mouse model [134]. LNP-based vaccines (NVP) co-encapsulated by antigens and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA, a potent TLR-4 agonist) were easily absorbed via DCs and increased DC maturation and antigen offering. Multilamellar vesicles were formed via hydrating a lipid film combined with DOPC, n-(Succinimidyloxy-glutaryl)-L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine, dioleoyl (DOPE-NHS) and MPLA (50:50:0.5 molar proportion). Mice vaccinated through RBD-NVP triggered strong and persistent antibody reactions versus RBD from COVID-19 [135]. In another investigation, researchers developed quick transformation of recombinant RBD into particulate formation by incorporating with liposomes comprising cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP) strongly improves the functional antibody reaction. Compared to other vaccine preparations, immunization utilizing CoPoP liposomes incorporated with recombinant RBD induces several orders of magnitude greater rates of antibody titers in mice that inhibit pseudovirus cell entrance, prevent RBD interaction with ACE2, and suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication [136] (Table 3, Fig. 5).

Table 3 Some significant examples of NP-based vaccine candidates versus SARS-CoV-2

Fig. 5

Several delivery methods for mRNA. LNPs are produced by the self-assembly of an ionizable cationic lipid. Various NPs of these cationic lipids (include 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammoniumpropane [DOTAP] or dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine [DOPE]) are prepared with subtle modifications (include cationic lipids + cholesterol NP, cationic lipids + cholesterol + PEG-LNP), where cholesterol and PEG-lipid are added to increase consistency. Other NP delivery systems include protamine (cationic peptide) nanoliposomes (sized approximately 100 nm), PEG-lipid functionalized dendrimer NPs (approximately 200 nm in size), positively charged oil-in-water (O/W) cationic nanoemulsion (approximately 120 nm in size), polyethyleneimine NP (approximately 100 − 300 nm in size), and cationic polymer (chitosan) NPs (approximately 300 − 600 nm in size)

Virus-like particles vaccine

VLPs are multiprotein structures that mimic the organization and conformation of authentic native viruses but lack the viral genome, potentially yielding safer and cheaper vaccine candidates Ferritin as a naturally self-assembling protein nanoparticles is a favorite protein particle to develop VLP vaccines. The protein particles can be connected with a maximum of 24 viral antigens for concurrent delivery and offer to APCs. In recent studies, a developed subunit vaccine based on self-assembling ferritin NP showed one of two multimerized S proteins: full-length ectodomain (S-Fer) or a C-terminal 70 amino-acid deletion (SΔC-Fer). Mice vaccinated by one injection of S-Fer demonstrated remarkably more excellent NAbs titers than those immunized by RBD monomers or spike ectodomain trimers, suggesting the significance of multivalent exposure. Ferritin NPs conjugated with RBDs, instead of full-length S proteins, demonstrated a superior preservative immune reaction when contrasted with unconjugated RBDs [137]. In other investigations, researchers generated a VLP vaccine that exhibits 120 copies of SARS-CoV-2 RBD on its surface. This method mimics virus-based vaccines in immunogen present, which increases its effect while maintaining the lack of side effects of protein subunit vaccines. This vaccine elicited great-titer NAbs reactions in mice that continued for more than two months and powerfully suppressed COVID-19, SARS-CoV-1, and their variants [138]. Ma et al. created 2 Ferritin-based NP vaccines via conjugate RBD and heptad repeat (HR) antigens in S protein using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher method, which was obtained from Streptococcus pyogenes, to covalently bind the ferritin NPs instead of direct fusion expression, that the level of expression is significantly reduced. RBD and RBD-HR NPs vaccines induce more powerful NAb reactions and T lymphocyte immune reactions than monomers. HR-based NPs elicit cross-reactive immune reactions versus COVID-19 and other CoVs [139]. Medicago and iBio are utilizing Nicotiana benthamiana to generate VLPs using the S protein, and AdaptVac/ExpreS²ion is applying the insect cell expression method to create VLPs from the S2 protein. In addition, producing protein NPs from antigenic subunits, their expression and, or presentation on proteinaceous biomaterial scaffolds, including ferritin, encapsulin, and bacteriophage VLPs, has been used to attain multivalent antigen presentation for increased immunogenicity. The advantage of this method is that scalability and modularity; the peptides can be quickly modified as novel data concerning COVID-19, and its immunogenicity is made accessible; it is as well potential to adapt the method quickly should new or mutated kinds appear [129]. VLPs can be prepared via incubating AuNPs as a nucleus by CoV S proteins, which automatically functionalize the surface (S-AuNPs). S-AuNP-vaccines can improve lymphatic antigen transfer and enhance cellular and humoral reactions contrasted with free antigens. This nano vaccine was capable of eliciting a powerful IgG reaction; however, by a less desired to inhibit CoVs owing to alterations in the construction of S proteins upon connecting to AuNPs, leading to lung eosinophilic immunopathology [130].

Other types of nanovaccines

To advance the creation of viral vaccines through mRNA and pDNA, a professional medicine company created a novel silica-based new technology called, Nuvec® designed for the transfer of vaccines and drugs. These new silica-NPs carrying nucleic acids have asymmetrical surfaces functionalized by polyethyleneimines (PEIs). This surface encapsulates nuclear acids (including mRNA/pDNA), as they cross into cells, and preserves them from nucleus enzymes. The critical benefit of Nuvec® is that it does not destroy the cell membrane when it attains the cells, contrasted to LNP; and not neither does it generate each inflammatory response at the administration location with no extreme systemic adverse events [140]. Peptide vaccines are known for their less immunogenicity, which could be dominated via combining immunostimulatory adjuvants and NPs, including PLGA or chitosan. The CD4 + and CD8 + T cell epitopes can as well be fused with adjuvant proteins such as TLR ligands which can be entrapped or presented on the surface of NPs such as PLGA to induce continued T-cell reactions and enhance long-range preservation. Smaller PLGA NPs (350 nm) allow improved internalization via DCs and cause a continued cellular immune reaction in mice. PLGA-NP encapsulated peptide antigens are being preserved against enzymatic destruction in vivo until they are absorbed via APCs and caused stimulation of strong B- and T-lymphocyte reactions [141]. In other investigations, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine developers, including GlaxoSmithKline, which owns the ASs and other adjuvant techniques, are employed in numerous companies to implant their adjuvant methods by COVID-19 virus-protein-based vaccines. The capability of approved adjuvants, including AS01 and AS03, to increase adaptive immune response has been related to their capacity to increase STAT1/IRF1 IFN signaling [124]. NVX-CoV2373 is a recombinant (rSARS-CoV-2) NP vaccine combined with trimeric full-length COVID-19 S proteins and Matrix-M1 adjuvant. Adjuvant led to increased immune reactions, was antigen dosage-sparing, and stimulated a Th1 response. The Matrix-M1 adjuvant elicited helper T lymphocytes reactions biased toward a Th1 phenotype. Matrix-M1, a saponin-based adjuvant, was created via Novavax. Both vaccine and adjuvant were maintained at 2–8 °C [142].

Nanoparticles as a drug delivery system in SARS-CoV-2 infection

The nanocarrier of repurposed antiviral medicines can be improved by combining with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). CPPs transport the cargo within the cell either via macropinocytosis, caveolae-interceded endocytosis, or clathrin-free endocytosis manner. Therefore, the remedial use, of these CPPs should be fixed through the combination of multifunctional polymeric NPs or LNPs to increase selectivity, performance, and capacity of cargo delivery to prevent deactivation via proteases. So, nanoformulation-based CPP-encapsulated in NPs of repurposed antiviral medicines to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. This method versus COVID-19 may be progressed and increased by conjugating it to the Tat-peptides via using nanoformulation-based NPs-delivery methods [143]. At present, siRNA treatment methods are inhibiting via the facility of siRNA enzymatic degradation, quick clearance, and lack of ability to pass into the cell membrane. However, these challenges can be notably addressed by utilizing NPs such as LNPs, polymeric NPs or their hybrid NPs, nanohydrogels, superparamagnetic iron-oxide NPs (SPIONs), and also functionalized AuNPs. PGA, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and their copolymers PLGA have been accepted via FDA and more broadly utilized for in vivo siRNA transfer [144, 145]. As a result, the aerosol design for inhalation injection of designed siRNA NPs delivery system via measured-dosage inhaler is recommended as an effective way of an injection to the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 [146]. Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), which was entrapped in silica/polyP NPs to inhibit polyP-destroying versus the alkaline phosphatase, was used to suppress connecting S protein to the ACE2 receptor in SARS-CoV-2. The result showed that completion of polyP might chip in improving the human innate immune responses in compromised, thrombocytopenic SARS-CoV-2 infected patients [147]. In other investigations, researchers developed recombinant DNase-1-covered PDA-poly(ethylene glycol) NPs (called long-acting DNase-1). The result showed that exogenously injected long-acting NPs DNase-1can efficiently decrease cell-free DNA (cfDNA) rates and neutrophil functions and may be utilized as powerful remedial intermediation for COVID-19. Researchers offered the remedial transport of a long-long-acting NP DNase-1 preparation for slowing the progress of sepsis in COVID-19 via inhibiting cfDNA [148].

Investigators have produced chitosan NPs for aerosol usage, which lets the adhesion and target delivery of medicines to the epithelial tissues of the lung and guarantees regulated discharge, thus decreasing the toxicity of the medications. Particular chitosan NP, named Novochizol, can entrapment of various medicines to deliver them to the lungs for the treatment of acute COVID-19 patients [149]. Other studies, used AgNPs, AuNPs, AgAu-NPs, and Pt NPs for delivery of the antiviral medicine, including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and chloroquine (CQ), to reduce the adverse events and increased the targeted therapy and efficacy of antiviral medications versus COVID-19 [150]. Moreover, dexamethasone encapsulated in NPs, and injecting it through intravenous or intranasal administration, can help to make better anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapy effect by targeting the strong corticosteroid medicine to hyper-triggered immune cells, with enhancing anti-edema acting and by eliciting its anti-fibrotic efficacy [151] (Table 4).

Table 4 Effects of different NPs as a delivery system and antiviral agent in SARS-COV-2 infection

Nanoparticles as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

In the absence of carrying additional medicine payloads, NPs can use specific mechanisms for direct viral inhibiting. One of these mechanisms is the degradation of viral protein structure. Biocompatible NPs can demonstrate a wide range of antiviral actions. The action of specific NPs, such as AgNPs and AuNPs, can chip in the generally antiviral function [152].

Quantum dots (QD), a kind of crystalline NPs, have great nano-based detecting, and they, can be utilized as antiviral remedies. Various metallic combinations (Pb, Cu, Ga, Zn, Hg) based on QD displayed target particular activities versus viral infection [153]. Moreover, QDs can be employed as ideal options versus pathogenic human CoVs diseases; For example, the antiviral actions of 7 diverse carbon QDs (CQDs) for remedying HCoV-229E infections were assessed [154, 155]. Moreover, the available documentation shows that NPs, including graphene, nanodiamonds, carbon nanotubes, and polystyrene particles, possess an inherent capability to trigger the immune system, related to their functionalization. For example, graphene oxide functionalized with amino groups (GO-NH2) stimulates the triggering of STAT1/IRF1 IFN signaling in monocytes and T lymphocytes, leading to the generation of T cell chemoattractant, and macrophage 1/Th1 polarization of the immune reaction, with slight toxicity. Significantly, hypericin graphene is on the list of computationally recognized potential therapy versus SARS-CoV-2. Besides, graphene is a potent immunomodulator, and GO-AgNPs increase the generation of natural antiviral protections (IFN-α and ISGs) [156]. Octadecylamine-functionalized and dexamethasone-incorporated nanodiamonds increase anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative performance in human macrophages in vitro. A less amount of this NP also decreased macrophage penetration and expression of proinflammatory intermediary’s inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and TNF-alpha in mice. Generally, outcomes showed that nanodiamond particles could be beneficial as an intrinsically immunomodulatory system [124]. The usage of nitric oxide NPs (NONPs) can also be an option in the therapy of SARS-CoV-2 disease. An investigation by SARS-CoV-1 detected that NO suppresses viral reproduction via the cytotoxic response from intermediate factors, including peroxynitrite. Since COVID-19 infects endothelial cells, which are an origin of NO, carrying NO from NPs may be an alternative for NO substitution, also a reaction to the viral targeting endothelial cells. Furthermore, suppressing viral prevalence, NO can inhibit the beginning of inflammatory activities based on hypoxia-reoxygenation /ischemia–reperfusion, regulator the cytokine cascade, let the elimination of cell fragments, restrict lipid peroxidation and cell injury, decrease damaging vascular penetrability, and preserve sufficient blood circulation [149]. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) belong to the fullerene family (sized 10–100 nm). Investigators developed a new method against COVID-19 by acidizing, and RALyase modified CNTs in combination with photodynamic thermal efficacy [157]. In another investigation, researchers hypothesized that carbon dots (CDs) derived from Allium sativum (AS-CDs) may have the capability to downregulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and return the immunological abnormalities to normal in SARS-CoV-2 infection. CDs have now been investigated in the nanobiomedicine field as a hopeful theranostic candidates for bioimaging and medication/gene transfer. The antifibrotic and antioxidant properties of AS are explained with accuracy, as confirmed in numerous investigations. It is found that the most active constituent of AS, allicin has an extremely strong antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging efficacy [158].

ZnNPs have been offered favorable versus the SARS-CoV-2 by preventing the mucosal connecting of the virus, inhibiting the virus reproduction, IFN-γ/α production, triggering the enzymes involved in several cellular actions, and reducing the inflammatory reaction, or increasing the immune system of the host [155]. Other investigations, showed that Iron oxide NPs (IONPs) (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) interact with the S1-RBD COVID-19. Fe3O4 created a more constant composite with S1-RBD. These interplays of IONPs are anticipated to be related to viral protein structural alterations, and therefore viral inhibition. Consequently, recommend FDA-accepted-IONPs proceed with SARS-CoV-2 therapy clinical trials. Combinations that interact with the S1-RBD are hypothesized to inhibit virus binding to host receptors and prevent viral infection [159]. AuNPs can be excellent alternatives for antiviral factors versus SARS-CoV-2 infection. The capability of AuNPs functionalized via diverse groups, including 3-mercaptoe-ethyl sulfonate (Mes), undecanesulfonic acid (Mus), octanethiol (Ot), and a novel peptide, to suppress COVID-19 was studied. The results showed that functionalized AuNPs have significant influences on the RBD and powerfully interact with the virus protein. In addition, the AuNP functionalized via a novel peptide creates a more constant compound with RBD in contrast with ACE2. AuNP-EG2, AuNP-Ot, and AuNP-Pep coat the entire connection surface of RBD of the COVID-19 [160].

Zhang, et al. developed 2 kinds of cellular nanosponges, which are prepared of the plasma membranes derivative from human lung epithelial kind II cells (Epithelial-NS) or human macrophages (MΦ-NS) for the therapy of SARS-CoV-2. The membranes were then covered onto polymeric NPs cores developed from PLGA by a sonication technique to create Epithelial-NS and MΦ-NS, in order. Cell membrane covering lets nanosponges receive the viral receptors associated with CoVs entrance in the target cells; however, it will be capable of inhibiting the chronic inflammation related to SARS-CoV-2 infection [161]. Cai, et al. developed photothermal NP that includes a semiconducting polymer core, (PCPDTBT), which combines NAbs connected on the surface of a photothermal NP to catch and deactivate SARS-CoV-2 actively. An amphiphilic polymer cover is applied to entrap the PCPDTBT core. The NP, a biocompatible polyethylene glycol surface, is functionalized by a monoclonal NAb particular to the S protein, which allows targeted and effective catching of virus with great composite affinity (0.07 nM), thus inhibiting the entrance of virus into target cells. As soon as stimulation via a 650-nm light-emitting diode (LED), which has a more favorable harmlessness method than traditional laser stimulation, the photothermal NPs per se deactivate the caught COVID-19 via heat [162]. A metal NP compound TPNT1 (comprising AuNPs, AgNPs, ZnONPs, and Clo2) was able to suppress 6 main sections of SARS-CoV-2 by efficient concentration within the limited area as food additives. TPNT1 was shown to inhibit viral entrance via preventing the connection of S proteins to the ACE2 receptor and interacting with the syncytium form. As TPNT1 is most efficient via previous incubation with viruses, one potential mechanism for the antiviral action of TPNT1 may be ascribable to bindings of virus surface glycoproteins with the metal NPs, and so inhibiting the virions from binding to target cells [163] (Table 4).

Conclusion

NPs can help to advance present treatments and as well be leveraged to generate new modalities which can destroy or prevent viruses via exclusive mechanisms of action. Based on their exclusive attributes, NPs have numerous specific benefits that can be leveraged to enhance the action of antiviral medicines. Payloads entrapped in NPs have less exposure to the exterior surroundings, which can help preserve them from systemic destruction while decreasing cytotoxicity. Moreover, NPs can increase the pharmacokinetic profiles of existing antiviral medicines via prolonging circulation time, binding particular tissue locations, and enhancing bioavailability. The efficiency of hydrophobic medications that are generally problematic to formulate and transport in vivo can be significantly improved by NPs. Owing to their perfect dimensions features and great surface area, NPs can associate with viruses in a multivalent method, allowing for extremely more powerful binding interactions. Generally, these developing therapeutics NPs are intrinsically resistant to viral mutations and can be used extensively versus a diversity of several viruses. NPs delivery methods contain antivirals, which can be produced from either synthetic or natural substances. Each one of these delivery methods has its collection of benefits and disadvantages for some uses. It is thus significant to choose the most suitable one and then improve its design. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to spread worldwide by an immediate requirement for a harmless and preservative vaccine to effectuate herd protection and regulate the spread of COVID-19. The rapid ratifications of mRNA1273 and BNT162b2 are significant achievements in the medication history. The NPs method can play a prime function in fighting SARS-CoV-2 using nanovaccines, which possess NPs and action as a delivery system of antigen that could trigger preservative immune responses. NPs have inherent immunomodulatory attributes that can affect the remedial act of vaccines. As the spread of viruses is faster than the development of effective vaccines, drug and vaccine studies should be complementary to what has already been achieved with previous CoV-related research.