The endogenous free radical nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in the immunological system. NO has already been reported as a potential candidate for use in the treatment of human coronavirus infections, including COVID-19. In fact, inhaled NO has been used in clinical settings for its antiviral respiratory action, and in the regulation of blood pressure to avoid clot formation. In this mini-review, we discuss recent progress concerning the antivirus activity of NO in clinical, pre-clinical and research settings, and its beneficial effects in the treatment of clinical complications in patients infected with coronaviruses and other respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. We also highlight promising therapeutic effects of NO donors allied to nanomaterials to combat COVID-19 and other human coronavirus infections. Nanomaterials can be designed to deliver sustained, localized NO release directly at the desired application site, enhancing the beneficial effects of NO and minimizing the side effects. Challenges and perspectives are presented to open new fields of research.

内源性自由基一氧化氮（NO）在免疫系统中起着关键作用。据报道，NO 是一种潜在的候选药物，可用于治疗人类冠状病毒感染，包括 COVID-19。事实上，吸入一氧化氮因其抗病毒呼吸作用而被用于临床，并用于调节血压以避免血栓形成。在这篇小综述中，我们讨论了 NO 在临床、临床前和研究环境中的抗病毒活性的最新进展，及其在治疗感染冠状病毒和其他呼吸道病毒性疾病（包括新冠肺炎）患者临床并发症方面的有益作用。 19. 我们还强调了 NO 供体与纳米材料结合对抗 COVID-19 和其他人类冠状病毒感染的有希望的治疗效果。纳米材料可以设计成直接在所需的应用部位持续、局部释放一氧化氮，增强一氧化氮的有益作用并最大限度地减少副作用。提出了挑战和观点以开辟新的研究领域。