Nanobiocide Based-Silver Nanomaterials Upon Coronaviruses: Approaches for Preventing Viral Infections


Abstract

The effectiveness of silver nanomaterials (AgNMs), as antiviral agents, has been confirmed in humans against many different types of viruses. Nanobiocides-based AgNMs can be effectively applied to eliminate coronaviruses (CoVs), as the cause of various diseases in animals and humans, particularly the fatal human respiratory infections. Mostly, these NMs act effectively against CoVs, thanks to the NMs'' fundamental anti-viral structures like reactive oxygen species (ROS), and photo-dynamic and photo-thermal abilities. Particularly, the antiviral activity of AgNMs is clarified under three inhibitory mechanisms including viral entry limitation, attachment inhibition, and viral replication limitation. It is believed that nanobiocide with other possible materials such as TiO2, silica and, carbon NMs exclusively nano-graphene materials can emerge as a more effective disinfectant for long-term stability with low toxicity than common disinfectants. Nanobiocides also can be applied for the prevention and treatment of viral infections specifically against COVID-19.

Keywords: Antiviral activity; COVID-19; Coronaviruses; Inhibitory mechanisms; Nanobiocides; Silver nanomaterials; Viral infection.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The most common nanomaterials with antiviral activity against animal/human COVs including the novel SARS‐CoV‐2. Reproduced from Ref. [24]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The conceptual design of the function of Ag NMs for antiviral activity
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The application of nanobiocides as the sanitizer and disinfectant for hand washing and healthcare systems
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Nanobiocides based AgNPs merged with carbon NMs and TiO2
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
An overview of nanobiocides’ advantages
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