Antiviral activity of plants and their isolated bioactive compounds: An update

Abstract

Viral infections represent one of the main causes of disease worldwide, especially today due to the increase of migration, global travel, and urbanization. The several side effects of the conventional drugs and the growing phenomenon of resistance have led researchers to turn to the plant kingdom as a source of potential new antiviral drugs. The aim of this work is to summarize the updated evidence for antiviral activity of different plants and their isolated bioactive compounds, evaluating also the potential interactions, which can occur in cotreatment with conventional antiviral drugs. The plant complexes have proved to be usually more active than their most abundant isolated compounds by hypothesizing synergistic mechanisms. In addition to cellular and molecular investigations, molecular docking studies have proved essential in highlighting the interaction mechanisms of bioactive compounds with target molecules. However, the use of nonstandardized extracts, or too high concentrations in vitro, which do not reproduce their bioavailability in vivo, are often limiting factors. Moreover, the lack of studies concerning the safety profile of plant extracts and their isolated compounds, alone or in combination with conventional antiviral drugs, is the most worrying aspect. In light of this, further studies are needed to validate their possible therapeutic use.

Microbiota Modulating Nutritional Approaches to Countering the Effects of Viral Respiratory Infections Including SARS-CoV-2 through Promoting Metabolic and Immune Fitness with Probiotics and Plant Bioactives

“…In addition to DF, phytochemicals including vitamins, micronutrients, and polyphenols present in fruits and vegetables are ingested as a part of the diet. Phytochemicals have similarly been shown to be of considerable importance in nutritional strategies for addressing the severity of viral respiratory diseases [62,168,169]. Apart from the ability of certain polyphenols to influence microbiota composition, they also impart antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral effects [170][171][172].…”

Bioactive Natural Antivirals: An Updated Review of the Available Plants and Isolated Molecules

“…Afterward, the viral particles will remain in the nucleus or move to the cytosol, where they are translated into viral proteins via the Golgi apparatus. In addition, the viral proteins sometimes are brought back into the nucleus, where they bind with viral RNA and later form new viral genome particles [222,223]. The new virion buds off from the cell in a phospholipid sphere and is released from the cell (Figure 4).…”

“…The new virion buds off from the cell in a phospholipid sphere and is released from the cell (Figure 4). viral genome particles [222,223]. The new virion buds off from the cell in a phospholipid sphere and is released from the cell (Figure 4).…”

Polyphenols vs. Coronaviruses: How Far Has Research Moved Forward?

“…Natural compounds have always drawn the attention of researchers, in that they are able to exert a very broad range of appealing biological activities, whose pharmacological and/or toxicological effects can be exploited in preventing or counteracting a number of health-related problems, and also as leading compounds for the synthesis of derivatives with enhanced bioactivity [ 22 , 23 ]. Phytochemicals have a long history in the treatment of infectious diseases, including those of viral origins, which dates back to the end of the Second World War to keep going with unceasing in vitro and in vivo updates regarding the antiviral capacity of several medicinal plant extracts and pure bioactive compounds against a wide range of microorganisms [ 24 ].…”