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Publications

Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Ppublish 7 citations

PubMed: 35441321 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-022-01166-x

Preclinical efficacy and safety of novel SNAT against SARS-CoV-2 using a hamster model.

Drug Deliv Transl Res 12(12):3007-3016

Authors: Lok R Pokhrel, Frank Williams, Paul P Cook, Dorcas O'Rourke, Gina Murray, Shaw M Akula

Affiliations

  • Department of Public Health, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
  • Department of Internal Medicine, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
  • Department of Comparative Medicine, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
  • Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.

Abstract

To address the unprecedented global public health crisis due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), we designed and developed a novel antiviral nano-drug, called SNAT (Smart Nano-Enabled Antiviral Therapeutic), comprised of taxoid (Tx)-decorated amino (NH)-functionalized near-atomic size positively charged silver nanoparticles (Tx-[NH-AgNPs]) that are stable for over 3 years. Using a hamster model, we tested the preclinical efficacy of inhaled SNAT on the body weight, virus titer, and histopathology of lungs in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters, including biocompatibility in human lung epithelium and dermal fibroblasts using lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. Our results showed SNAT could effectively reverse the body weight loss, reduce the virus load in oral swabs, and improve lung health in hamsters. Furthermore, LDH assay showed SNAT is noncytotoxic, and MDA assay demonstrated SNAT to be an antioxidant, potentially quenching lipid peroxidation, in both the human cells. Overall, these promising pilot preclinical findings suggest SNAT as a novel, safer antiviral drug lead against SARS-CoV-2 infection and may find applications as a platform technology against other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential.

MeSH

Sars-Cov-2, Lung, Safety, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Viruses, Body Weight, Drug Delivery Systems, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Antiviral Agents

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