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Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Quercetin and its derivates as antiviral potentials: A comprehensive review
Amalia Di Petrillo1, Germano Orrù2, Antonella Fais3
1Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract:
Quercetin, widely distributed in fruits and vegetables, is a flavonoid known for its antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory properties. Several studies highlight the potential use of quercetin as an antiviral, due to its ability to inhibit the initial stages of virus infection, to be able to interact with proteases important for viral replication, and to reduce inflammation caused by infection. Quercetin could also be useful in combination with other drugs to potentially enhance the effects or synergistically interact with them, in order to reduce their side effects and related toxicity. Since there is no comprehensive compilation about antiviral activities of quercetin and derivates, the aim of this review is providing a summary of their antiviral activities on a set of human viral infections along with mechanisms of action. Thus, the following family of viruses are examined: Flaviviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Retroviridae, Picornaviridae, Pneumoviridae, and Filoviridae.
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