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From public health to economics, the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) has had a profound impact in almost every sphere of life. The disease, caused by the pathogen of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has killed more than 2.7 million people to date. Coupled with the problems of illness and death, the lockdowns, social distancing and isolation have had an impact on the mental health of people all over the world.
Anxiety, confusion, and fear have taken a toll on the mental health of many people around the world. To combat this, researchers have harnessed certain natural antiviral and brain-stimulating compounds that may provide new information.
A team of scientists, from the University of Kashmir, India; Rutgers University, United States; and Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, reviewed approaches to nanoencapsulation of synergistic compounds (lectins, caffeine, cocoa, flavonoids, quercetin) and the role of nanotechnology in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed the dual action of these compounds for their brain boosting benefits and antiviral activities. This review was recently published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Currently, there are no targeted and safe therapeutic alternatives for COVID-19, exploring for brain-stimulating compounds, possibly enhanced with antiviral activity, is a prospective research approach. Reviewers here have discussed certain compounds, naturally derived, like quercitin, caffeine, banana lectins (Banlec), and cocoa flavonoids. They have summarized the natural compounds with their antiviral and brain-stimulating properties in this review.
Previously, it was reported that the COVID-19 situation triggered various mental issues such as difficulty sleeping, social media distress and paranoia of contracting this viral infection; 80% of study participants needed mental health care. This state of mind can also lead to oxidative stress and loss of immunity, making other symptoms worse.
Quercitin could prevent neurons from apoptosis (programmed cell death) and oxidative stress. While caffeine and lectin can have antidepressant effects, cocoa flavonoids act as a neuroprotector.
These suggested compounds are also reported to have antiviral activities. Quercitin has an inhibitory action against SARS and MERS, two pathogens closely related to SARS-CoV-2. Caffeine has antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1), lectin against influenza virus and flavonoids can inhibit the fusion of the viral membrane with that of the lysosome.
The emerging field of nanotechnology has had a significant impact on the target delivery of nutraceuticals and therapeutics. “
For efficient delivery of these compounds to target sites, nanoencapsulation is a new tool. The application of nanotechnology has been shown to improve the thermal stability, oral bioavailability and water solubility of the drug. Nanoencapsulation can confer drug benefits by altering the pharmacologically active portion of these compounds.
The modified nanoparticles have a high surface area to volume ratio, good absorption properties and many bioactive components including resveratrol, curcumin, polyphenols, genistein, lycopene, anthocyanins and quercetin have been subjected to nanoencapsulation to combat poor water solubility, low oral bioavailability and low taste profiles. . “
Many synthetic methods and techniques are available for the nanoencapsulation process. For example, nanotransporters like yeast cells, nanogels, nanofibers, and nanosponges are made from polysaccharides and lipids intended to be used for nanoencapsulation. Some possible nanoparticles are starch nanocomposites and chitosan coated liposomes, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, alginate microparticles, and gold nanoparticles. Reviewers recommend the appropriate nanoencapsulation approach for each of the compounds discussed here in the review.
Reviewers discussed the issues with drug delivery and how nanotechnology-based approaches can help overcome them. For example, they discussed the mechanism of action of an antiviral vaccine called Nuvec®, which are silica nanoparticles surface-functionalized with polyethyleneimine to transport nucleic acids. The ideal delivery system for vaccines and drugs, these nanoparticles protect the shipment of nucleic acid enzymes and do not elicit an inflammatory response.
Theranostic nanoparticles, classified as inorganic, organic, and virus-like self-assembling protein nanoparticles, are excellent tools in the application of nanotechnology to combat COVID-19. In addition, quantum dots (semiconductor nanomaterials) ranging from 1 to 10 nm with tunable optical wavelength, are new imaging probes.
Researchers report that due to their nanoscale size and shape, quantum dots penetrate SARS-CoV-2 with sizes ranging from 60 to 140nm, and quantum dots also sequester SARS-CoV S protein. -2 due to their positive surface charge. It can also interact with the negative RNA strand of the virus, creating reactive oxygen species within SARS-CoV-2.
It is established that nanoparticles can provide a range of antiviral moieties and target both the adaptive and innate immune systems. With nanodimensions, a high surface area to volume ratio, flexibility and options for delivery via alternative routes, the potential of nanotechnology in the fight against COVID-19 has not only been realized in the context of the development of a nano-vaccine, but providing the nano-based antiviral agents, the critics explain.
This review summarized some of the brain stimulating compounds as well as antivirals and demonstrated the nanoencapsulation of these synergistic compounds; this may pave the way for the development of strategies for the formulation of therapeutics to combat adverse conditions of COVID-19.
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