Natural antiviral compounds are a promising source of innovation for combating viral infections. They work by inhibiting viral proteins and mRNA translation. They also have broad-spectrum antiviral activity. These bioactive compounds can be found in a wide range of plant sources. Let’s take a closer look at some of these compounds. Their mechanism of action is discussed below. Also read on to find out what they can do for you.
Some examples of natural antiviral compounds are Epigallocatechin gallate, which is isolated from green tea. Other examples are rutin, quercetin, and ellagic acid. Other examples of natural antivirals are flavonoids, such as baicalein, fisetin, and quercetagetin, isolated from the Aglaia plant. Various herbal and natural products also contain galactomannans, p-anisaldehyde, and eugenol.
A recent study analyzed the biological activity of natural antiviral phytoconstituents. Several compounds were identified as potential antivirals by docking them on a SARS protein. Some showed good binding affinity and similar binding scores to the ligand. However, procyanidin B2 exhibited better stability than theaflavin in molecular docking experiments. This study suggests that the natural antiviral compounds could be used in treatment of the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In addition to containing antiviral compounds, some of the most promising natural products are also used for nutraceutical purposes. These products have been shown to be effective against the earlier outbreaks of the coronaviruses (SARS-CoV), MERS-CoV, and COVID-19. Researchers are continuing to investigate the effectiveness of these natural products in combating viral infections. These products could be developed into derivatives or therapeutic leads.
