Medicinal Plants as a Source of Anti-Viral Metabolite(s): An Introduction

In this modern era, viruses are the most devastative microorganisms which directly affect our health, lifestyle, and economics. Viruses are responsible for diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (human immunodeficiency virus: HIV), cancer (hepatitis B virus: HBV), genital tract infection (herpes simplex virus: HSV), hydrophobia (rabies virus), flu (influenza A virus), dengue fever (dengue virus), sepsis (rhabdovirus), gastroenteritis (norovirus), and most recent severe acute respiratory syndromes caused by coronavirus. In the treatment of these diseases, various common plants of Asia, Africa, and South American native places such as danshen, olive, acacia, Camelia sinensis, Swertia chirata, Lafoensia pacari, Passiflora eduli, Cyperus rotundus, Allamndaschottii oleander, dandelion, Mentha piperita, fennel, black seed, ginger, garlic, basil, licorice, and oregano effectively inhibited these viruses and its associated diseases. Good activity, lesser side effects, and lesser interaction increase the search of good phytoconstituents rich medicinal plants and secondary metabolites in the treatment of diseases caused by various viruses.