Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: September 27, 2024
Investigating the Internalization and COVID-19 Antiviral Computational Analysis of Optimized Nanoscale Zinc Oxide
Mohamed Hamdi1, Hend Mohamed Abdel-Bar1, Enas Elmowafy2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, P.O. Box 32897, Sadat City, Egypt.
Abstract:
Global trials are grappling toward identifying prosperous remediation against the ever-emerging and re-emerging pathogenic respiratory viruses. Battling coronavirus, as a model respiratory virus, via repurposing existing therapeutic agents could be a welcome move. Motivated by its well-demonstrated curative use in herpes simplex and influenza viruses, utilization of the nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnO) would be an auspicious approach. In this direction, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated herein and relevant aspects related to the formulation such as optimization, structure, purity, and morphology were elucidated. In silico molecular docking was conducted to speculate the possible interaction between ZnO NPs and COVID-19 targets including the ACE2 receptor, COVID-19 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and main protease. The cellular internalization of ZnO NPs using human lung fibroblast cells was also assessed. Optimized hexagonal and spherical ZnO nanostructures of a crystallite size of 11.50 ± 0.71 nm and positive charge were attained. The pure and characteristic hexagonal wurtzite P63mc crystal structure was also observed. Interestingly, felicitous binding of ZnO NPs with the three tested COVID-19 targets, via hydrogen bond formation, was detected. Furthermore, an enhanced dose-dependent cellular uptake was demonstrated. The obtained results infer a rationale, awaiting validation from further biological and therapeutic studies.
Insights
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) show promise for combating respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Studies indicate ZnO NPs interact with viral targets and are taken up by lung cells, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Emerging and re-emerging pathogenic respiratory viruses pose a global health challenge.
- Repurposing existing therapeutic agents offers a potential strategy for combating viral infections.
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) has demonstrated efficacy against herpes simplex and influenza viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for potential antiviral applications.
- To investigate the in silico interaction of ZnO NPs with key COVID-19 targets.
- To assess the cellular uptake of ZnO NPs in human lung fibroblast cells.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles, including optimization, structure, purity, and morphology analysis.
- In silico molecular docking simulations to predict interactions between ZnO NPs and COVID-19 targets (ACE2 receptor, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, main protease).
- Assessment of ZnO NP cellular internalization using human lung fibroblast cell lines.
Main Results:
- Optimized hexagonal and spherical ZnO nanostructures with a crystallite size of 11.50 ± 0.71 nm and positive charge were successfully synthesized.
- Pure hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure (P63mc) was confirmed for the ZnO NPs.
- In silico analysis revealed favorable binding of ZnO NPs with COVID-19 targets through hydrogen bond formation.
- Dose-dependent cellular uptake of ZnO NPs by human lung fibroblast cells was observed.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates the successful fabrication and characterization of ZnO NPs with potential antiviral properties.
- In silico and cellular uptake studies suggest ZnO NPs could be a viable candidate for therapeutic intervention against COVID-19.
- Further biological and therapeutic validation is warranted to confirm the efficacy of ZnO NPs.
