Current and Promising Antivirals Against Chikungunya Virus

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the causative agent of chikungunya fever (CHIKF) and is categorized as a(n) (re)emerging arbovirus. CHIKV has repeatedly been responsible for outbreaks that caused serious economic and public health problems in the affected countries. To date, no vaccine or specific antiviral therapies are available. This review gives a summary on current antivirals that have been investigated as potential therapeutics against CHIKF. The mode of action as well as possible compound targets (viral and host targets) are being addressed. This review hopes to provide critical information on the in vitro efficacies of various compounds and might help researchers in their considerations for future experiments.

Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Chikungunya

“…While not one single antiviral drug specifically directed against CHIKV has been approved, there are however several chemical components that have been investigated and stand as potential chemotherapeutic agents promising for the treatment of the chikungunya fever. Chloroquine for instance has shown to be effective against CHIKV through its obstructive activity against the entry of CHIKV into host cells [14]. Nevertheless, despite the promising in vitro results of that drug, clinical trials have failed to confirm any real benefit to patients.…”

Discovery of a Novel Inhibitor for Chikungunya Virus

“…Some of the well-known broad-spectrum antivirals like ribavirin and interferon, may prove to be promising against CHIKV 13 although there is no evidence supporting the clinical efficacy they could be subject to clinical trials in future 13, 14 . Recent drug discovery efforts have included computer-aided design to identify an inhibitor of the E2-E1 envelope glycoprotein complex leading to an optimal compound with and EC 50 of 1.6 mM 15 .…”

Mode-Dependent Antiviral Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts against the Mosquito-Borne Chikungunya Virus

“…Presently, patients with chikungunya fever are treated with antipyretic, analgesic, or anti-inflammatory drugs for symptomatic relief [ 5 ]. While efforts have been pursued to develop safe and effective vaccines for prophylaxis and antiviral drugs for therapeutics [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], currently there is no licensed vaccine or drug available against chikungunya virus. This emphasizes the need for more antiviral drugs.…”