Enhancement of antiviral drug efficacy through multimodal mechanism of Au nanoparticles decorated ZnO tetrapods

• Nanoparticles have been well studied for controlling viral infections. However, very little knowledge exists on their potential use as an adjuvant for enhancing antiviral drug efficacy and reducing toxicity. Herein, we describe gold nanoparticle decorated zinc oxide tetrapods (ANZOT) that electrostatically neutralize viral infections. Given their negative charge distribution caused by engineered oxygen vacancies, ANZOT can prevent herpes simplex virus-1 and the novel human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 from infecting cells. More notably, when ANZOT was used as an adjuvant, several fold lower than normally used concentrations of a nucleoside analog, acyclovir or a preclinical antiviral compound, BX795, were enough to inhibit infection and eliminate drug toxicity. BX795 was found to exert its antiviral benefits through inhibition of cellular protein kinase C (α and ζ). Cumulatively our findings highlight an innovative use of ANZOT as a drug adjuvant for superior broad-spectrum effects against viral infections.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Farmaceutiska vetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Pharmaceutical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Herpesvirus

BX795

Zinc Oxide Tetrapod

gold nanoparticles

antiviral

virus neutralization

Farmaceutisk vetenskap

Pharmaceutical Science

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)