Open AccessAdvanced Material Against Human (Including Covid‐19) and Plant Viruses: Nanoparticles As a Feasible Strategy
Author(s) -
Tortella Gonzalo R.,
Rubilar Olga,
Diez María Cristina,
Padrão Jorge,
Zille Andrea,
Pieretti Joana C.,
Seabra Amedea B.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
global challenges
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2056-6646
DOI - 10.1002/gch2.202000049
Subject(s) - covid-19 , human health , microbiology and biotechnology , public health , outbreak , pandemic , risk analysis (engineering) , business , medicine , biology , virology , environmental health , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , nursing , pathology
The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus outbreak revealed that these nano‐pathogens have the ability to rapidly change lives. Undoubtedly, SARS‐CoV‐2 as well as other viruses can cause important global impacts, affecting public health, as well as, socioeconomic development. But viruses are not only a public health concern, they are also a problem in agriculture. The current treatments are often ineffective, are prone to develop resistance, or cause considerable adverse side effects. The use of nanotechnology has played an important role to combat viral diseases. In this review three main aspects are in focus: first, the potential use of nanoparticles as carriers for drug delivery. Second, its use for treatments of some human viral diseases, and third, its application as antivirals in plants. With these three themes, the aim is to give to readers an overview of the progress in this promising area of biotechnology during the 2017–2020 period, and to provide a glance at how tangible is the effectiveness of nanotechnology against viruses. Future prospects are also discussed. It is hoped that this review can be a contribution to general knowledge for both specialized and non‐specialized readers, allowing a better knowledge of this interesting topic.