Leveraging Lucrative Lectins: An Explorative Review of the Biomedical Properties of Lectins

Abstract

Nature is a bountiful supplier of resources for all living beings. Moreover, nature has also been the recourse for numerous global problems including disorders and ailments. Natural product chemistry is the most sought-after field, probing into biological and industrial applications of different natural compounds isolated from sources like plants and microorganisms. Lectins, dating way back as to almost 130 years ago, have had a long standing in history in lieu of their numerous biomedical benefits. Marking the modern age of lectins in 1972, ‘lectinology’ came to be known as a potential field of research probing into various medical properties of lectins from different plants. These proteins display a plethora of benefits including wound-healing, anticoagulating, anti-nociceptive, antimicrobial, antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. The present review explores these lucrative properties of lectins and also discusses the current status of lectin-based antiviral therapeutics that hold immense potential for effective treatment of fastidious pathogens