Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Potential Agent for Antiviral Drug Delivery Development: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

: Viral infection is a worldwide health problem, which has negatively affected global activity in recent years. There is no specific medication for most viral infections, and the treatments are based on symptom management. Nanoparticles (NPs) in recent years have shown promising antibacterial and antiviral properties, among which metal oxide NPs have shown superiority. In the present study, we aimed to systematically review all available literature supporting the efficiency of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs in the treatment of viral infections. For this purpose, a systematic literature search was performed in scientific literature databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Ovid, Embase, and Google Scholar by using “viral infections”, “antiviral effects,” and “ZnO NPs” in addition to all their equivalent terms as keywords. Due to the lack of human studies, no strict inclusion criteria were defined, and all available relevant literature were included. A total of 14 documents that fully met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and used for data synthesis. The results showed that ZnO NPs, due to some specific physiochemical properties, can be a promising approach in developing antiviral agents and nanovaccines, especially against RNA viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The most probable antiviral mechanistic pathways of ZnO NPs were blocking the virus entry into the cells and deactivation of the virus through virostatic potential. Based on the findings of the included studies, it is suggested that ZnO NPs and other metal oxide-based NPs may be a potential antiviral agent; however, further human studies are required to confirm such efficiency in clinical practice.

Nano Zinc Oxide Green-Synthesized from Plumbago auriculata Lam. Alcoholic Extract

“…ZnO NPs, due to their physiochemical characteristics, are considered a promising approach in developing antiviral agents and Nano-vaccines against RNA viruses HIV, and COVID19, as well as DNA viruses HSV-1 and 2. The most probable antiviral mechanistic pathways of ZnO NPs are blocking the virus's entry into the cells and deactivating the virus through virostatic potential [28,29].…”

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Sea Lavender (Limonium pruinosum L. Chaz.) extract: characterization, evaluation of anti-skin cancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials

“…Among nanometal oxides, ZnO NPs are known for their antimicrobial 17 , anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity 12 , 18 , 19 . They are also used in sunscreens due to their characteristic ultraviolet ray scattering properties 20 , 21 , drug delivery 22 , 23 , and wound-healing applications 24 , 25 . ZnO NPs have several properties as biocompatible multifunctional nanomaterial.…”

The Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles’ Antiviral Activity in Combination with Pelargonium zonale Extract against the Human Corona 229E Virus

“…The formed pellets were washed several times with distilled water and then absolute ethanol to remove any impurities. Finally, it was left to dry in ventilating hood [ 29 ].…”