Gold Nanoparticles Against Respiratory Diseases: Oncogenic and Viral Pathogens Review

Abstract

Nanoscale size-dependent properties give nanomaterials unique specifications that are robust in many applications of human medicine. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have recently gained attention because of their unique optical, physical and electrical properties. AuNPs increase the efficacy of biomedical applications in diagnostic treatments for infectious diseases, by targeting or labeling target cells/bioactive compounds. However, it is imperative to develop the regimens for more accurate diagnostic tools, preventive care and effective therapy. Our critical and comprehensive review presents emerging avenues of molecular diagnostics as well as therapeutics translated into clinical approaches. This manuscript critically reviews the rampant future of AuNPs in the diagnosis and treatment of the most important diseases, such as cancer and viruses of respiratory system.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• cancer
• coronavirus
• COVID-19
• gold nanoparticles
• imaging
• plasmonic
• therapeutics

Acknowledgments

Dr Raji is grateful to IIUCN, Mahatma Gandhi University during her postdoctoral achievements. The author Dr Kaushik Pal is grateful to associated colleagues and research scholars at Wuhan University, China. Also, Dr Pal especially owes his sincere thanks to his colleagues, including Bachelor and Masters Students, Scientific instrumental operators, as well as the entire team of researchers consistently involved from University Federal Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thanks to the Professor in-charge of Vice-Chancellor, Sabu Thomas from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala encouraging research-friendly platform to support this exclusive work.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the article. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.