<p>Virucidal Action Against Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus and Immunomodulatory Effects of Nanoformulations Consisting of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Natural Prodrugs</p>

Abstract

Background: Combating infectious diseases caused by influenza virus is a major challenge due to its resistance to available drugs and vaccines, side effects, and cost of treatment. Nanomedicines are being developed to allow targeted delivery of drugs to attack specific cells or viruses. Materials and Methods: In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with amino groups and loaded with natural prodrugs of shikimic acid (SH), quercetin (QR) or both were explored as a novel antiviral nanoformulations targeting the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus. Also, the immunomodulatory effects were investigated in vitro tests and anti-inflammatory activity was determined in vivo using the acute carrageenan-induced paw edema rat model. Results: Prodrugs alone or the MSNs displayed weaker antiviral effects as evidenced by virus titers and plaque formation compared to nanoformulations. The MSNs-NH 2-SH and MSNs-NH 2-SH-QR2 nanoformulations displayed a strong virucidal by inactivating the H5N1 virus. They induced also strong immunomodulatory effects: they inhibited cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and nitric oxide production by approximately 50% for MSNs-NH 2-SH-QR2 (containing both SH and QR). Remarkable anti-inflammatory effects were observed during in vivo tests in an acute carrageenan-induced rat model. Conclusion: Our preliminary findings show the potential of nanotechnology for the application of natural prodrug substances to produce a novel safe, effective, and affordable antiviral drug.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of nanoformulations composed of metal-organic frameworks delivering rutin and/or piperine natural agents

“…Briefly, these data showed significant inhibition exerted by nanoformulations compared to standard diclofenac drug or free Ru and/or Pip. The findings are in accordance with our previous data showing a notable anti-inflammatory influence in an induced versus free-form rat model for nanoformulation-based mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the flavonoid quercetin and shikimic acid (AbouAitah et al, 2020b ). Other studies also have reported this effect in animal tests (Xu et al, 2011 ; Rachmawati et al, 2016 ; de Almeida et al, 2018 ), showing the importance of nanoformulation delivery compared to the traditional methods of delivering anti-inflammatory drugs.…”

Nanoformulation Composed of Ellagic Acid and Functionalized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Inactivates DNA and RNA Viruses

“…nitric acid was performed to obtain 2,6,14-trinitrootriptycene and 2,7,14-trinitrotriptycene constitutional isomers that successfully separated by column chromatography. Next, reduction 2,6,14-trinitrootriptycene was achieved using Pd/C in ethanol under refluxing, in order to obtain 2,6,14-triaminotriptycene (9), as shown in Scheme 1. The ZnO NPs were functionalized with TRP in a multi-step process:…”

“…The maximum size distribution was recorded for ELG loaded NPs in ZnO NPs-NH 2 -COOH-TRP-ELG, with a mean size of 322. nm ± 23.8 nm (Figure 4D). Thus, the particle size distribution is modulated by different parameters, such as surface functionalization and drug loading [9,41].…”

“…The main concept behind using nano-antivirals is to allow nanoparticle (NP)-virus interactions, based on the small size of the virus, offering a realistic solution for treating them. As the nanomaterial/nanocarrier is the key factor in fabricating nanoformulations, many nanomaterials have been used, including carbon-based antiviral nanomaterials [8], mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NPs) [9], zinc oxide NPs [10], metal-organic frameworks [11], and silver NPs [12].…”

Applications of metal‐organic frameworks and zeolites to virus detection and control: biosensors, barriers, and biocomposites

“…Moreover, mesoporous silica nanoparticles can attach on their surface active species to create antiviral agents against herpes simplex viruses (HSV) [35] . Other recent examples involving mesoporous silicas deal with rubella virus (RV) [36] and mumps virus, [37] and with diagnosis and production of antiviral drugs against avian influence H5 N1 virus [38] …”