Natural Medicinal Plants Used in the Control and Treatment of Diseases Caused by Coxsackie and Coxsackie Virus B3: Possible Mechanism of Action and the Role of Phytochemicals

Coxsackie viruses are viruses that cause a variety of devastating human disorders, including myocarditis and meningoencephalitis. Despite the fact that these viruses are cytolytic, they can cause infection, and can persist for long periods of time within certain host tissues, necessitating immune system evasion response, as well as a significantly lower rate of replication. They are members of the Picornaviridae family, and genus Enterovirus. Nonenveloped viruses were once thought to be nonenveloped, however, new data suggests that coxsackie viruses and other nonenveloped viruses are now enveloped. Picornaviruses gain an envelope after hijacking host membranes. Coxsackie viruses may gain various advantages by acquiring an envelope, including as resistance to neutralizing antibodies and fast nonlytic viral propagation. The conventional treatment of the virus-induced symptoms is palliative, through a combination of NSAID and steroids. A large number of molecules of plant origin viz. manassantin B, chrysin, curcumin, phylambicilin B, and marmelide have been suggested to relieve symptoms provide relief in the coxsackie virus infection. The mode of action is mostly through immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory action. A combinatorial synergistic activity of different compounds in the plant extract is also possible.