Nanomaterials as a Versatile Tool for COVID-19 Treatment

The emergence and rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 prompted a global response from scientists to develop vaccines and therapeutics aimed at preventing the spread of the virus and alleviating its symptoms. The unique properties of nanoparticles make them valuable tools for developing drugs and vaccines against COVID-19, offering the potential to improve the efficacy, safety, and scalability of treatment. As a result, a wide array of vaccines was developed, with nanoparticles playing a crucial role in their formulation. Extensive research has been conducted to explore the potential of nanoparticle-based technologies in combating COVID-19. In this review, we primarily provide a brief overview of COVID-19 and its therapeutics. We then introduce the characteristics of each category of nanoparticles, including metal-, polymer-, lipid-, and carbon-based nanoparticles, with a focus on studies utilizing nanoparticles to fabricate novel vaccines and address the challenges posed by the virus. Additionally, we discuss novel drugs utilizing nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for targeted therapy against COVID-19, highlighting the diverse applications of nanoparticle technology in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.