Aspects of Antiviral Strategies Based on Different Phototherapy Approaches: Hit by the Light

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which caused the COVID-19 pandemic spreading around the world from late 2019, served as a ruthless reminder of the threat viruses pose to global public health. The synthesis of new antiviral drugs, as well as repurposing existing products, is a long-term ongoing process which has challenged the scientific community. One solution could be an effective, accessible, and rapidly available antiviral treatment based on phototherapy (PT). PT has been used to treat several diseases, and relies on the absorption of light by endogenous molecules or exogenous photosensitizers (PS). PT has often been used in cancer treatment and prophylaxis, and as a complement to established chemotherapy and immunotherapy in combined therapeutic strategy. Besides significant applications in anticancer treatment, studies have demonstrated the beneficial impact of PT on respiratory, systemic, emerging, and oncogenic viral infections. The aim of this review was to highlight the potential of PT to combat viral infections by summarizing current progress in photodynamic, photothermal, and photoacoustic approaches. Attention is drawn to the virucidal effect of PT on systemic viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus and human herpes viruses, including the causative agent of Kaposi sarcoma, human herpes virus (HHV8). PT has good potential for disinfection in anti-norovirus research and against pandemic viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

Synthesis, Photophysical Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Properties of C7, a Novel Symmetric Tetra-Imidazolium-Bis-Heterocycle

“…The NHCs can form stable complexes and are therefore used in the development of photoactive molecular systems, which can then be applied in phototherapy (PT) [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. PT has been shown to be quite effective and is commonly utilized in treating multiple bacterial and viral pathologies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Therefore, our research focuses on the synthesis and structural modulation of NHC complexes and supramolecules that would target pathogens responsible for causing human diseases, with a radiation-enhanced efficacity.…”

Photoactivatable Heptamethine-Based Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Leading to New Anti-Antibacterial Agents

“…However, non-traditional approaches offer new opportunities to tackle infections from resistant bacteria as they can be used complementarily and synergistically or as alternatives to established therapies. Within the emerging antimicrobial therapeutic arsenal, lightbased approaches have shown particular promise [3,4]. This process takes advantage of light and light-sensitive agents (photosensitizers) in an oxygen-rich environment, where there is a transfer of energy from photons to the photosensitizer.…”

Hydrophobic Rose Bengal Derivatives Exhibit Submicromolar-to-Subnanomolar Activity against Enveloped Viruses

“…Photosensitizing antivirals are a promising class of drug candidates against enveloped viruses [ 9 ]. Among a variety of structurally and spectrally distinct compounds [ 10 ], rigid amphipathic fusion inhibitors (RAFIs) [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] and thiazolidine derivatives [ 16 , 17 ] look especially attractive. These compounds selectively influence viral envelopes and inhibit viral fusion at nanomolar concentrations with no significant cytotoxicity, as the activity-determining mechanism of action for both classes is currently assumed to be the modification of phospholipids in the viral lipid bilayer via singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) production under light exposure [ 17 , 18 ].…”