Potential metal-related strategies for prevention and treatment of COVID-19

Recent advances of metal cluster-based SERS probes for biomedical applications

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as a revolutionary technology, has made remarkable progress in the field of biomedical applications in recent years, particularly in the development and functional applications of metal cluster-based substrates. This review systematically summarizes the latest advancements in the SERS field, focusing on advanced substrate materials and their enhancement mechanisms. Special attention is given to the biomedical applications of metal cluster-based substrates in SERS sensing and imaging. The role of density functional theory (DFT) in uncovering the enhancement mechanisms is also discussed. Finally, the current challenges of metal cluster-based SERS probes are analyzed and the future prospects of their applications in high-sensitivity detection, precision medicine, and multimodal imaging are explored. This review provides valuable theoretical and experimental insights for the further development and application of metal cluster-based SERS technology.

Innovative Applications and Perspectives of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Technology in Biomedicine

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become a revolutionary technique in the biomedical field, providing unparalleled sensitivity for the detection and characterization of biological samples. In this review, recent SERS innovations are comprehensively discussed, including advanced substrate materials, different SERS detection strategies, and multimodal approaches that combine SERS with other biotechnologies. Among them, the role of SERS in the accurate diagnosis of tumors is highlighted, which has promoted accurate molecular analysis and real-time monitoring of treatment effects. In addition, the growing potential of SERS in the treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases is discussed. Moreover, the integration with microfluidic chip systems for precise single-cell analysis is presented. To give a forward-looking view, the key challenges faced by SERS technology are also proposed, and possible solutions to overcome these obstacles are provided.

Beneficial effects of the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S nanochelating-based medicines on IL-6 in hospitalized moderate COVID-19 adult patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

In the severe forms of COVID-19 and many other infectious diseases, the patients develop a cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) where pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α play a key role in the development of this serious process. Selenium and iron are two important trace minerals, and their metabolism is tightly connected to immune system function. Numerous studies highlight the role of selenium and iron metabolism changes in the procedure of COVID-19 inflammation. The immunomodulator effect of nanomedicines that are synthesized based on nanochelating technology has been proved in previous studies. In the present study, the effects of the combination of BCc1(with iron-chelating property) and Hep-S (containing selenium) nanomedicines on mentioned cytokines levels in hospitalized moderate COVID-19 patients were evaluated.

METHODS

Laboratory-confirmed moderate COVID-19 patients were enrolled to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in two separate groups: combination of BCc1 and Hep-S (N = 62) (treatment) or placebo (N = 60) (placebo). The blood samples were taken before medications on day zero, at discharge, and 28 days after consumption to measure hematological and biochemical parameters and cytokine levels. The clinical symptoms of all the patients were recorded according to an assessment questionnaire before the start of the treatment and on days 3 and discharge day.

RESULTS

The results revealed that consumption of the nanomedicines led to a significant decrease in the mean level of IL-6 cytokine, and at the end of the study, there was a 77% downward trend in IL-6 in the nanomedicine group, while an 18% increase in the placebo group (p < 0.05). In addition, the patients in the nanomedicines group had lower TNF-α levels; accordingly, there was a 21% decrease in TNF-α level in the treatment group, while a 31% increase in this cytokine level in the placebo was observed (p > 0.05). On the other hand, in nanomedicines treated groups, clinical scores of coughing, fatigue, and need for oxygen therapy improved.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S inhibits IL-6 as a highly important and well-known cytokine in COVID-19 pathophysiology and presents a promising view for immunomodulation that can manage CSS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials RCT20170731035423N2 . Registered on June 12, 2020.

Interaction of copper potential metallodrugs with TMPRSS2: A comparative study of docking tools and its implications on COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. For the virus to enter the host cell, its spike (S) protein binds to the ACE2 receptor, and the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) cleaves the binding for the fusion. As part of the research on COVID-19 treatments, several Casiopeina-analogs presented here were looked at as TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Using the DFT and conceptual-DFT methods, it was found that the global reactivity indices of the optimized molecular structures of the inhibitors could be used to predict their pharmacological activity. In addition, molecular docking programs (AutoDock4, Molegro Virtual Docker, and GOLD) were used to find the best potential inhibitors by looking at how they interact with key amino acid residues (His296, Asp 345, and Ser441) in the catalytic triad. The results show that in many cases, at least one of the amino acids in the triad is involved in the interaction. In the best cases, Asp435 interacts with the terminal nitrogen atoms of the side chains in a similar way to inhibitors such as nafamostat, camostat, and gabexate. Since the copper compounds localize just above the catalytic triad, they could stop substrates from getting into it. The binding energies are in the range of other synthetic drugs already on the market. Because serine protease could be an excellent target to stop the virus from getting inside the cell, the analyzed complexes are an excellent place to start looking for new drugs to treat COVID-19.

Metal-Based Compounds in Antiviral Therapy

In recent years, the study of metal complexes and metal-based nanomaterials has aroused particular interest, leading to the promotion of new effective systems for the abatement of various viral diseases. Starting from the analysis of chemical properties, this review focuses on the employment of metal-based nanoparticles as antiviral drugs and how this interaction leads to a substantial enhancement in antiviral activity. The use of metal-based antiviral drugs has also spread for the formulation of antiviral vaccines, thanks especially to the remarkable adjuvant activities of some of the metal complexes. In particular, the small size and inert nature of Au- and Ag-based nanoparticles have been exploited for the design of systems for antiviral drug delivery, leading to the development of specific and safe therapies that lead to a decrease in side effects.