Natural Immunomodulatory Agents as a Complementary Therapy for Poxviruses

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Poxviruses, including the monkeypox virus (MPXV), significantly impact innate and adaptive immunity.
• The emergence of MPXV and the lack of approved treatments necessitate the identification of novel antiviral agents.
• Natural bioactive compounds, especially polyphenolics, exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating properties, suggesting their potential in viral disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of natural bioactive components as antiviral agents against poxviruses, with a focus on MPXV.
• To identify specific natural compounds and plant extracts that demonstrate inhibitory effects on poxviruses.
• To highlight the need for further molecular research into the anti-poxvirus mechanisms of natural compounds.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating natural compounds and plant extracts against poxviruses.
• Identification of polyphenolic compounds and isoquinoline alkaloids with reported antiviral activities.
• Analysis of traditional plant extracts known to inhibit various poxviruses, including MPXV.

Main Results:

• Polyphenolics (e.g., rosmarinic acid, resveratrol) and isoquinoline alkaloids (e.g., galanthamine) show potential as antiviral agents against MPXV and other poxviruses.
• These compounds target key viral elements such as DNA Topoisomerase I (TOP1), Thymidine Kinase (TK), and protein A48R.
• Bioactive extracts from plants like Guiera senegalensis and Zingiber officinale demonstrated inhibitory effects on multiple poxviruses.

Conclusions:

• Natural bioactive components, particularly polyphenolics and alkaloids, represent promising therapeutic candidates for poxvirus infections, including MPXV.
• These compounds can inhibit poxviruses by interfering with essential viral enzymes and proteins.
• Further molecular investigations are crucial to validate and develop these natural agents for clinical application against poxviruses.