Advances in Nanotechnology for Antiviral Delivery Approaches

Abstract: Viral infections, caused by pathogenic viruses replicating within the body, affect approximately 15 million people worldwide. The primary contributors to these illnesses include severe respiratory infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The global antiviral drug market is projected to reach a valuation of around 75 billion USD by 2027. Developing safe and effective antiviral medications remains challenging due to issues such as short halflives, limited solubility, poor absorption, and low bioavailability. Most antiviral drugs are administered orally, with acyclovir being a widely used and highly effective treatment for herpes infections. The discovery and development of structurally novel antivirals carry inherent risks and high costs. Consequently, alternative strategies are being explored, including the repurposing of existing antiviral drugs into nanoformulations. Nanotechnology offers the potential to enhance antiviral drug design, formulation, and delivery through the use of nanomaterials such as dendrimers and silver nanoparticles. These nanocarriers possess biomimetic properties, enabling targeted delivery to specific organs or tissues while bypassing systemic circulation. They can be engineered to reach both extracellular and intracellular sites of viral infection, facilitating precise interaction with cell surface receptors. This targeted approach helps regulate viral replication, overcome drug resistance, and improve therapeutic outcomes. This review focuses on the major types of viral infections, recent advancements in antiviral drug delivery systems, and the pivotal role of nanotechnology in revolutionizing therapeutic strategies for viral diseases.