Antiviral activity of bioactive phytocompounds against coronavirus: An update

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Viral infections, including coronaviruses like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, pose significant global health challenges.
• Conventional antiviral drugs face limitations due to side effects and increasing antimicrobial resistance.
• Natural sources, particularly plants, are being explored for their potential as antiviral agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize existing evidence on bioactive phytocompounds from plants as potential treatments for coronavirus infections.
• To highlight the therapeutic potential of plant-derived compounds as alternatives to conventional antivirals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating plant-based compounds against coronaviruses.
• Analysis of evidence supporting the antiviral activity of specific phytocompounds.
• Assessment of current limitations and research gaps.

Main Results:

• Various plant-derived bioactive compounds demonstrate potential antiviral properties against coronaviruses.
• Phytocompounds offer a promising avenue for developing novel antiviral therapies.
• Significant limitations exist due to a lack of extensive experimental evidence and safety studies.

Conclusions:

• Plant-based compounds represent a viable alternative for coronavirus treatment, but require further validation.
• Extensive research, including clinical trials and safety assessments, is essential to establish the therapeutic utility of these natural antivirals.
• The development of plant-based medicine for viral infections necessitates rigorous scientific investigation.