Silicon-based particles as a platform for development of antiviral drugs

The growing number of viral infections and viral strains from year to year requires the creation of new, more effective antiviral drugs. One of the cost-effective ways to increase drug efficiency is the development of delivery systems for already known and clinically used drugs in order to overcome the challenges currently limiting their efficiency. This review presents the current status of silicon-based particles in this area. Silicon-based materials consist mainly of silicon and its compounds and can contain other inorganic oxides, i.e. are inorganic in nature. Their inorganic nature provides a number of advantages over organic materials (e.g. polymers, lipids, micelles, etc.) which are widely proposed and already used for the indicated purpose. This review provides information about the structural features of the silicon-based materials, methods of their preparation. It contains studies showing why and how the particles themselves can serve as antiviral agents or, as carriers, can help overcome the disadvantages of active drugs and increase their antiviral efficacy. The review highlights the enormous potential of silicon-based inorganic particles (pristine or modified with various inorganic and organic species) in the fight against widespread viral infections.