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Review
. 2020 Feb 18;12(2):171.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020171.

Nanomaterials Designed for Antiviral Drug Delivery Transport across Biological Barriers

Florina-Daniela Cojocaru  1 , Doru Botezat  1 , Ioannis Gardikiotis  1 , Cristina-Mariana Uritu  1 , Gianina Dodi  1 , Laura Trandafir  2 , Ciprian Rezus  3 , Elena Rezus  4 , Bogdan-Ionel Tamba  1 , Cosmin-Teodor Mihai  1   5
Affiliations
Review

Nanomaterials Designed for Antiviral Drug Delivery Transport across Biological Barriers

Florina-Daniela Cojocaru et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

Viral infections are a major global health problem, representing a significant cause of mortality with an unfavorable continuously amplified socio-economic impact. The increased drug resistance and constant viral replication have been the trigger for important studies regarding the use of nanotechnology in antiviral therapies. Nanomaterials offer unique physico-chemical properties that have linked benefits for drug delivery as ideal tools for viral treatment. Currently, different types of nanomaterials namely nanoparticles, liposomes, nanospheres, nanogels, nanosuspensions and nanoemulsions were studied either in vitro or in vivo for drug delivery of antiviral agents with prospects to be translated in clinical practice. This review highlights the drug delivery nanosystems incorporating the major antiviral classes and their transport across specific barriers at cellular and intracellular level. Important reflections on nanomedicines currently approved or undergoing investigations for the treatment of viral infections are also discussed. Finally, the authors present an overview on the requirements for the design of antiviral nanotherapeutics.

Keywords: antivirals; biological barriers; drug delivery; nanomaterials.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Global impact of viral diseases.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of antiviral agents used in nanotechnology.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic illustration of nano-scale carrier systems and their interactions with the dermal barrier.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Nanocarriers developed for antiviral therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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