Targeting Dengue Viral Proteins with Eco-Friendly Nanotechnology: A Promising Path for Antiviral Research

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV), a mosquito-borne pathogen belonging to the Flaviviridae family, continues to be a major global public health concern, causing millions of infections annually across tropical and subtropical regions. The virus encodes both structural and non-structural proteins that play critical roles in its replication, assembly, and immune evasion. Despite substantial research progress, there is still no specific antiviral drug available, and current treatment remains primarily supportive. This review highlights the significance of DENV structural proteins (C, prM/M, and E) and non-structural proteins (NS1–NS5) as potential molecular targets for antiviral interventions. Green-synthesized silver, gold, and iron oxide nanoparticles have demonstrated strong inhibitory activity against DENV by targeting key viral proteins such as the envelope (E), NS3 protease/helicase, and NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. These nanoparticles interfere with viral entry, replication, and protein synthesis while exhibiting high biocompatibility and minimal cytotoxicity. Collectively, the findings discussed in this review underscore the promise of eco-friendly nanotechnology as a sustainable and effective platform for developing next-generation antiviral therapies against dengue virus.