Curcumin-derived carbon-dots as a potential COVID-19 antiviral drug.

Even entering the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, only a small number of COVID-19 antiviral drugs are approved. Curcumin has previously shown antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid, but its poor bioavailability limits its clinical uses. Utilizing nanotechnology structures, curcumin-derived carbon-dots (cur-CDs) were synthesized to increase low bioavailability of curcumin.

Porphyrin-derived carbon dots for an enhanced antiviral activity targeting the CTD of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid.

Background: Since effective antiviral drugs for COVID-19 are still limited in number, the exploration of compounds that have antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 is in high demand. Porphyrin is potentially developed as a COVID-19 antiviral drug. However, its low solubility in water restricts its clinical application.