Flavonoids Target Human Herpesviruses That Infect the Nervous System: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Insights

Abstract

Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are large DNA viruses with highly infectious characteristics. HHVs can induce lytic and latent infections in their host, and most of these viruses are neurotropic, with the capacity to generate severe and chronic neurological diseases of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). Treatment of HHV infections based on strategies that include natural products-derived drugs is one of the most rapidly developing fields of modern medicine. Therefore, in this paper, we lend insights into the recent advances that have been achieved during the past five years in utilizing flavonoids as promising natural drugs for the treatment of HHVs infections of the nervous system such as alpha-herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1, type 2, and varicella-zoster virus), beta-herpesviruses (human cytomegalovirus), and gamma-herpesviruses (Epstein–Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). The neurological complications associated with infections induced by the reviewed herpesviruses are emphasized. Additionally, this work covers all possible mechanisms and pathways by which flavonoids induce promising therapeutic actions against the above-mentioned herpesviruses.

Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of the Ethanolic Extract from the Aerial Part of Crocus alatavicus Regel & Semen Growing Wildly in Southern Kazakhstan

“…However, the antiherpetic activity of kaempferol derivatives was found to be variable, depending on the substituent. The most active against herpesviruses appeared to be kaempferol glucosides [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Biflavonoids: Important Contributions to the Health Benefits of Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.)

“…The standardized extract preparation of ginkgo leaves usually contains 24% flavonoids, 6% terpene trilactones (TTLs), and less than 5 ppm ginkgolic acid [ 17 ]. Flavonoids are a group of specialized plant metabolites that are important for plant–environment interactions [ 26 , 27 ] but have also been associated with numerous human health benefits [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Flavonoids are composed of a 15-carbon skeleton and consist of two benzene rings (ring A and ring B) connected by a 3-carbon linking linkage.…”

Biomolecular Fluorescence Complementation Profiling and Artificial Intelligence Structure Prediction of the Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus ORF18 and ORF30 Interaction

“…Currently, KSHV is known to be the causative factor of several malignancies, including Kaposi’s sarcoma, PEL, and multicentric Castleman’s disease [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Recently, it has been reported that KSHV can infect nervous system cells and induce neurological disorders [ 5 ]. In addition, KSHV infection of neurons have been detected in HIV-positive patients [ 6 ] and the association of KSHV infection with neural diseases and neurological complications has been observed [ 7 , 8 ].…”