Molecular Roadmap of COVID-19: From Viral Entry to Therapeutic Targets

Although the global emergency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has subsided, the pandemic is not over, making the development of effective therapeutics crucial to reduce mortality and restore patient health. Identifying host molecular pathways targeted by the virus is essential for drug discovery, whether through repurposing existing drugs or developing new ones. This review examines the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including signaling pathways, therapeutic targets, viral entry and replication strategies, and associated clinical features. It also discusses current global infection and mortality trends, clinical management, and prospects for drug development. Data were sourced from major scientific databases. Given the virus's high mutation rate and ongoing impact, multidisciplinary collaboration is needed. Plant-derived compounds and herbal medicines show promise as potential antiviral interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The information and data on COVID-19 were collated from various resources and literature databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Scopus, Inflibnet, Google, and Google Scholar.