Natural products' role against COVID-19
Ananda da Silva Antonio1, Larissa Silveira Moreira Wiedemann1, Valdir Florêncio Veiga-Junior1,2
1Chemistry Department, Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas Avenida Rodrigo Octávio, 6200, Coroado CEP: 69.077-000 Manaus AM Brazil valdir.veiga@gmail.com.
RSC Advances
|June 13, 2022
Summary
Natural products offer potential safe and effective treatments for COVID-19, a global health threat. This review explores natural metabolites, including flavonoids and alkaloids, for anti-SARS-CoV-2 bioproduct development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic demanding urgent treatment development.
- Existing synthetic drug treatments like hydroxychloroquine show uncertain efficacy and potential side effects, highlighting the need for safer alternatives.
- Natural products have historically aided in treating viral infections (e.g., HIV, influenza, MERS-CoV) and represent a promising avenue for COVID-19 therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review natural metabolites with potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.
- To identify natural product sources, mechanisms of action, and prior pharmacological uses relevant to COVID-19 treatment.
- To establish a foundational resource for accelerating the development of natural anti-SARS-CoV-2 bioproducts.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific databases focusing on natural products and antiviral activities.
- Analysis of phytochemical classes (e.g., flavonoids, alkaloids, peptides) with reported efficacy against coronaviruses.
- Evaluation of *in silico* and *in vitro* studies demonstrating anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential.
Main Results:
- Several classes of natural products, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and peptides, exhibit promising *in silico* antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.
- Natural products offer diverse mechanisms of action that could target viral entry, replication, or host-pathogen interactions.
- Identified natural compounds possess known pharmacological activities and varying bioavailability profiles.
Conclusions:
- Natural products represent a viable and potentially safer alternative or adjunct to synthetic drugs for COVID-19 treatment.
- Further research is crucial to address bioavailability and *in vivo* efficacy challenges for natural anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
- This review provides a strategic starting point for developing novel, natural product-based therapies against COVID-19.
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