Possible Benefits of Reformulating Antiviral Drugs with Nanoemulsion System in the Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Infection

ABSTRACT

Background: An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection or COVID 19 has caused serious threats to all around the world. Until an effective and safe vaccine for novel coronavirus is developed by scientists, current drug therapy should be optimized for the control and treatment of COVID 19. Objective(s) In this manuscript, we present a perspective on possible benefits of reformulating antiviral drug dosage form with nanoemulsion system against novel coronavirus infection. Method(s) Literature review has been done on COVID 19, treatment strategies, novel drug delivery sys-tems and the role of pulmonary surfactant in lung protection. Result(s) Nanoemulsion system and its components have certain biophysical properties which could in-crease the efficacy of drug therapy. Antiviral drugs, delivered through a nanoemulsion system contain-ing P-gp inhibitor (surfactant and co-solvent), can minimize the cellular resistance to drugs and would potentiate the antiviral action of drugs. Pulmonary Surfactant (PS) assisted antiviral drug delivery by nanoemulsion system could be another effective approach for the treatment of COVID 19. The use of functional excipients like Pulmonary Surfactant (PS) and Surfactant Proteins (SPs) in the formulation of the antiviral drug-loaded nanoemulsion system can improve the treatment of coronavirus infection. Conclusion(s) In our opinion, for synergizing antiviral action, lipid and protein portion of PS and their commercial analogs should be explored by pharmaceutical scientists to use them as a functional excipi-ent in the formulation of antiviral drug-loaded nanoemulsion system.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.