Current state-of-the-art review of nanotechnology-based therapeutics for viral pandemics: Special attention to COVID-19

Abstract Over the past two centuries, most pandemics have been caused by zoonotic RNA viruses with high mutation, infection, and transmission rates. Due to the importance of understanding the viruses’ role in establishing the latest outbreak pandemics, we briefly discuss their etiology, symptomatology, and epidemiology and then pay close attention to the latest chronic communicable disease, SARS-CoV-2. To date, there are no generally proven effective techniques in the diagnosis, treatment, and spread strategy of viral diseases, so there is a profound need to discover efficient technologies to address these issues. Nanotechnology can be a promising approach for designing more functional and potent therapeutics against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other viral diseases. Moreover, this review intends to summarize examples of nanostructures that play a role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating COVID-19 and be a comprehensive and helpful review by covering notable and vital applications of nanotechnology-based strategies for improving health and environmental sanitation. Graphical abstract Nanotechnology is a promising approach for preventing, diagnosing, and treating COVID-19 and related viral diseases.