Antiviral potential of essential oils and their plant sources, delivery methods, and drug development strategies with special focus on their mechanisms: a comprehensive review

The rise in viral infections has presented a multitude of public health concerns on a global scale, including the emergence of influenza and SARS-CoV-2. The emergence of drug-resistant virus strains has underscored the paramount importance of expedited research in the development of novel antiviral therapeutics. It has led to a surge in interest in the potential application of essential oils (EOs) as antiviral agents, owing to their noteworthy antiviral efficacy. A considerable number of EOs and their components have demonstrated promising antiviral activities in vitro and in vivo research. This review provided an overview of the various aspects of EOs inhibiting viruses, including plant sources, the different delivery methods, current challenges and strategies for developing drugs, and in-depth discussions on the relevant mechanisms. It concisely explores the antiviral mechanisms of EOs, ranging from molecular docking simulations to in-depth cellular, animal, and human studies. EOs demonstrate antiviral potential by inhibiting viral proteins, disrupting replication, and modulating host cellular functions, immune responses, and nervous system interactions. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and pharmaceutical entities, offering insights and references that advance the antiviral research and innovative drug development utilizing plant-derived essential oils.