Nanosponges: An overlooked promising strategy to combat SARS-CoV-2

Nanosponge hydrogel of octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate of Alcaligenes faecalis

Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate (ODHP) was extracted in a previous study from the culture broth of soil isolate Alcaligenes faecalis MT332429 and showed a promising antimycotic activity. This study was aimed to formulate ODHP loaded β-cyclodextrins (CD) nanosponge (NS) hydrogel (HG) to control skin fungal ailments since nanosponges augment the retention of tested agents in the skin. Box-Behnken design was used to produce the optimized NS formulation, where entrapment efficiency percent (EE%), polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size (PS) were assigned as dependent parameters, while the independent process parameters were polyvinyl alcohol % (w/v %), polymer-linker ratio, homogenization time, and speed. The carbopol 940 hydrogel was then created by incorporating the nanosponges. The hydrogel fit Higuchi's kinetic release model the best, according to in vitro drug release. Stability and photodegradation studies revealed that the NS-HG remained stable under tested conditions. The formulation also showed higher in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans compared to the control fluconazole. In vivo study showed that ODHP-NS-HG increased survival rates, wound contraction, and healing of wound gap and inhibited the inflammation process compared to the other control groups. The histopathological examinations and Masson's trichrome staining showed improved healing and higher records of collagen deposition. Moreover, the permeability of ODHP-NS-HG was higher through rats' skin by 1.5-folds compared to the control isoconazole 1%. Therefore, based on these results, NS-HG formulation is a potential carrier for enhanced and improved topical delivery of ODHP. Our study is a pioneering research on the development of a formulation for ODHP produced naturally from soil bacteria. KEY POINTS: • Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoate was successfully formulated as a nanosponge hydrogel and statistically optimized. • The new formula exhibited in vitro good stability, drug release, and higher antifungal activity against C. albicans as compared to the fluconazole. • Ex vivo showed enhanced skin permeability, and in vivo analysis showed high antifungal activity as evidenced by measurement of various biochemical parameters and histopathological examination.

The Possible Mechanisms of Cu and Zn in the Treatment and Prevention of HIV and COVID-19 Viral Infection

Due to their unique properties and their potential therapeutic and prophylactic applications, heavy metals have attracted the interest of many researchers, especially during the outbreak of COVID-19. Indeed, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) have been widely used during viral infections. Zn has been reported to prevent excessive inflammatory response and cytokine storm, improve the response of the virus to Type I interferon (IFN-1), and enhance the production of IFN-a to counteract the antagonistic effect of SARS-CoV-2 virus protein on IFN. Additionally, Zn has been found to promote the proliferation and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, thereby improving immune function, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in SARS- CoV-2 reducing the viral replication and stabilizing the cell membrane by preventing the proteolytic processing of viral polyprotein and proteases enzymes. Interestingly, Zn deficiency has been correlated with enhanced SARS-CoV-2 viral entry through interaction between the ACE2 receptor and viral spike protein. Along with zinc, Cu possesses strong virucidal capabilities and is known to be effective at neutralizing a variety of infectious viruses, including the poliovirus, influenza virus, HIV type 1, and other enveloped or nonenveloped, single- or double-stranded DNA and RNA viruses. Cu-related antiviral action has been linked to different pathways. First, it may result in permanent damage to the viral membrane, envelopes, and genetic material of viruses. Second, Cu produces reactive oxygen species to take advantage of the redox signaling mechanism to eradicate the virus. The present review focused on Zn and Cu in the treatment and prevention of viral infection. Moreover, the application of metals such as Cu and gold in nanotechnology for the development of antiviral therapies and vaccines has been also discussed.

Nanosponge: A promising and intriguing strategy in medical and pharmaceutical Science

The complicated chemical reactions involved in the production of the newer drug delivery systems have mainly impeded efforts to build successful targeted drug delivery systems for a prolonged duration of time. Nanosponges, a recently created colloidal system, have the potential to overcome issues with medication toxicity, decreased bioavailability, and drug release over a wide area because they can be modified to work with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic types of drugs. Nanosponges are small sized with a three-dimensional network having a porous cavity. They can be prepared easily by crosslinking cyclodextrins with different compounds. Due to Cyclodextrin's outstanding biocompatibility, stability, and safety, a number of Cyclodextrin-based drug delivery systems have been developed promptly. The nanosponge drug delivery system possesses various applications in various ailments such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, theranostic applications, enhanced bioavailability, stability, etc. This review elaborates on benefits and drawbacks, preparation techniques, factors affecting their preparation, characterization techniques, applications, and most current developments in nanosponges.

State-of-art high-performance Nano-systems for mutated coronavirus infection management: From Lab to Clinic

The emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants made emerging novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) pandemic/endemic/or both more severe and difficult to manage due to increased worry about the efficacy and efficiency of present preventative, therapeutic, and sensing measures. To deal with these unexpected circumstances, the development of novel nano-systems with tuneable optical, electrical, magnetic, and morphological properties can lead to novel research needed for (1) COVID-19 infection (anti-microbial systems against SARS-CoV-2), (2) early detection of mutated SARS-CoV-2, and (3) targeted delivery of therapeutics using nano-systems, i.e., nanomedicine. However, there is a knowledge gap in understanding all these nano-biotechnology potentials for managing mutated SARS-CoV-2 on a single platform. To bring up the aspects of nanotechnology to tackle SARS-CoV-2 variants related COVID-19 pandemic, this article emphasizes improvements in the high-performance of nano-systems to combat SARS-CoV-2 strains/variants with a goal of managing COVID-19 infection via trapping, eradication, detection/sensing, and treatment of virus. The potential of state-of-the-art nano-assisted approaches has been demonstrated as an efficient drug delivery systems, viral disinfectants, vaccine productive cargos, anti-viral activity, and biosensors suitable for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. Furthermore, the process linked with the efficacy of nanosystems to neutralize and eliminate SARS-CoV-2 is extensively highligthed in this report. The challenges and opportunities associated with managing COVID-19 using nanotechnology as part of regulations are also well-covered. The outcomes of this review will help researchers to design, investigate, and develop an appropriate nano system to manage COVID-19 infection, with a focus on the detection and eradication of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. This article is unique in that it discusses every aspect of high-performance nanotechnology for ideal COVID pandemic management.