Nanotechnology based approaches for combatting COVID-19 viral infection

Abstract

Abstract The novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic was declared as ‘public-health emergency of international concern’ by the World Health Organization on 30 January 2020. The sudden emergence of the viral pathogen responsible for this outbreak, the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has triggered alarm for their instant management using anti-viral measures and diagnostic tools. Early diagnosis will enable containment of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), allowing quick implementation of control measures for limiting the spread of this disease. Due to high human to human transmission, the development of effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics for treating affected patients will help to slow down the transfer of viruses from patients to healthy individuals. However, till the time any effective therapeutic or vaccine is developed, preventing exposure to SARS- CoV-2 virus is the best way out. The development of more effective personal protective equipments (PPEs) is essential to maintain the safety of healthcare professionals and the public at large. Taking into consideration the current severity of this disease and the imperative need of SARS-CoV-2 specific treatment and diagnostic tools, nanotechnology-based approaches can provide promising alternatives to conventional ways of disease diagnosis, treatment, and preventing exposure to SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we inform about the different ways in which nanotechnology can help in the detection and treatment of prevailing SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as help to improve the PPE devices.