Alkaloids as potential antivirals. A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Natural Products Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Virology

Background:

• Alkaloids are diverse plant-derived phytochemicals with protective roles and medicinal potential.
• Existing reviews on alkaloids primarily focus on general biological actions, not comprehensively on antiviral properties.
• Natural and synthetic alkaloids are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of naturally occurring and synthetic alkaloids with antiviral properties.
• To highlight the specific antiviral mechanisms and efficacy of various alkaloid compounds.
• To consolidate research on alkaloids as potential antiviral agents across different experimental settings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific articles detailing alkaloid isolation and synthesis.
• Analysis of studies investigating alkaloid efficacy against viruses in various experimental models (in vivo, in ovo, in vitro, in silico).
• Evaluation of reported non-toxic doses and comparative inhibitory activities against established antiviral drugs.

Main Results:

• Numerous natural and synthetic alkaloids exhibit significant antiviral activity against a range of infectious viruses.
• Alkaloids target critical stages of viral replication and infection pathways effectively.
• Some alkaloids demonstrate antiviral potency comparable to existing pharmaceutical treatments at non-toxic concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Alkaloid compounds possess potent and specific antiviral properties.
• Their ability to inhibit viral infections at non-toxic doses suggests significant therapeutic potential.
• Further medicinal and pharmacological research into alkaloids could lead to novel antiviral drug development.