Dual engineered gold nanoparticle based synergistic prophylaxis delivery system for HIV/AIDS

Med Hypotheses. 2021 May:150:110576. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110576. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Abstract

HIV is a pandemic and continuously raises problem across the world. This disease puts an immense pressure on treatment modalities. There are only few clinically accepted drugs available for the treatment and few molecules under clinical development. Although, the antiretroviral drugs give reliable and positive response on control of virus replication but during the long treatment, it has been affirmed that there are number of side effects. With recent advancements in biotechnology, nanomaterials such as gold and silver etc. are proving to be a game changer in targeted drug delivery treatment. As gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are biocompatible natural excipients, a lot of scientists are very eager to investigate more about the immune effects of AuNPs to create a safe and cost effective treatment that could potentially help in the reduction of numerous toxic effects present in the existing treatments of various critical diseases like cancer and HIV etc. In this context, the present hypothesis recommends the use of combination drug delivery strategy based on gold nanoparticles that could pave the way to overcome adverse results of existing delivery techniques of antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV. This review also highlights the fact that a proper development of this gold nanoparticle combination antiretroviral drug delivery approach will not only help to suppress the virus multiplication but also target the viral entry area by attaching with gp120 (glycoprotein 120), and inhibit the binding with CD4 (Cluster of differentiation 4) T cells.

Keywords: Antiretroviral agents; Biocompatible; Gold nanoparticles; HIV/AIDS; Synergistic; T cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Gold
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles*

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Gold