A new anti Covid-19 therapy was developed thanks to research developed by the University of Sassari, in collaboration with the UCLA of Los Angeles and the Sardinian start-up Nanomater srl, and published in the pharmaceutical chemistry magazine "European Journal. of Medicinal Chemistry ".
The study is based on the action of intelligent "nanowavettes" that guide the antiviral agents until the selective recognition of infected cells or that could become infected with the Sars-CoV-2 virus. The research, carried out by a team coordinated by the pharmaceutical chemist Mario Sechi, of the University of Sassari, in collaboration with the nanotechnologist Vanna Sanna of the Nanomater and with the biologist Sandro Satta of the University of California, led to the realization of nanoparticles of dimensions similar to those of the virus, loaded with the antiviral drug Remdesivir, used as a model, and recently approved for the treatment of Covid-19 disease.
The novelty introduced by the Sardinian researchers is that the "nanonavette" can allow the antiviral agent to reach already infected cells or which could become infected with more selectivity; in this way the antiviral can be used in contained doses and limit any unwanted effects for the body. Furthermore, the new technology offers the possibility of administering drugs for the treatment of Covid-19 by inhalation, thus expanding its potential and therapeutic applications.
The results of the experiments conducted in the laboratory on infected cells have shown a significant increase in the antiviral activity of the drug delivered and confirmed its competition with the virus as it enters the cell.
"There is great satisfaction for the results obtained and for the attention received by the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, - comments Mario Sechi - Unfortunately, I must unfortunately note the absence of dedicated financial contributions, despite requests for support or participation in calls forwarded to various Institutions ".
(Unioneonline / vl)