Review:antiviral and Immunomodulatory Properties of Nutraceuticals and Herbs

Abstract

viral life cycle, such as viral entry, replication, assembly, and release, as well as on the targeting of virushost-specific interactions. In this brief report, we summarize the antiviral activities from several natural products and herbal medicines against some notable viral pathogens including coronavirus (CoV), coxsackievirus (CV), dengue virus (DENV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza virus, measles virus (MV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). [3] About one-quarter of marketed orthodox pharmaceutical medicines is either derived from plantsources or from derivatives of secondary plant metabolites.The success of obtaining new drugs from naturalsources is not very encouraging. Several factors are responsiblefor such observation. Atpresent, of about 2000 varieties of minor illnesses andserious diseases only 40% have cure using conventionalorthodox pharmaceuticals. Variouschemicals and biotechnological products are beingscreened by major multinational pharmaceutical industriesin the hope of discovering new cures for diseases. [4] Complementary and alternative medicine offers a wide variety of herbal plants, which may serve as key to unlock the many mysteries behind human pathologies. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 80 % of the population in developing countries depends on traditional plants for health requirements. [5] Natural products such as herbal plant extracts (used in Ayurveda as mentionedinCharaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita or other traditional medicine practices), plant derived compounds (also known as phytoconstituents), extracts of specific plant parts (roots, stem, bark, flowers, fruits and seeds), dietary supplements and nutraceuticals find wide application in treating ailments ranging from common to rare infectious and non-infectious diseases. [6],[7] This review mainly focuses on the effect of herbs and nutraceutical on respiratory health and on viral infections; however, other studies on viral infections have also been included. Finally, practical recommendations have been drawn on both preventive and therapeutic nutritional interventions. Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Herbs: The history of the use of herbs as medication is as old as history itself. Some authors state that the first recorded use of herbs for medical treatment began over 4000 years ago. [8] Theorigin of this type of medical treatment began in China and India. Traditional Chinese medicine centres on interactions between the body and the environment. A mixture of treatments, including herbs, acupuncture, and massage, is then prescribed. Traditional Indian medicine has dated back to 3 000 BC. [9] Andrographis paniculate: Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as the "king of bitters," is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Acanthaceae and is found throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, Southeast Asia, and India. In India, A.paniculatais known as "Kalmegh" [10],[11]. Andrographolide is ...