Role of phytocompounds as the potential anti-viral agent: an overview

Viral diseases are the most notorious infective agent(s) causing morbidity and mortality in every nook and corner for ages; viruses are active in host cells, and specific anti-virus medicines’ developments remain uncanny. In this century of the biological era, human viruses act predominantly as versatile spreaders. The infection of the present COVID-19 virus is up in the air; blithely, the integument of medicinal chemistry approaches, particularly bioactive derived phytocompounds could be helpful to control those human viruses, recognized in the last 100 years. Indeed, natural products are being used for various therapeutic purposes. The major bioactive phytocompounds are chemically containing coumarin, thiosulfonate, steroid, polysaccharide, tannin, lignin, proanthocyanidin, terpene, quinone, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and polyphenol, that are documented for inhibitory action against several viral infections. Mostly, about 20–30% of plants from tropical or temperate regions are known to have some antiviral activity. This comprehensive analysis of bioactive-derived phytocompounds would represent a significant impact and might be helpful for antiviral research and the current state of viral treatments.

For decades, active ingredients from fresh parts and solvent-processed plant extracts have been used in mainstream medicines in every culture. However, plant extracts have several secondary metabolites for therapeutic utility as pharmaceuticals, but today, herbal medicines are exploited for drug development cascades. Thus, it is important to know about potential phytoactive compounds with antiviral properties, in this pandemic COVID-19 time. Moreover, viral diseases (Huerta-Reyes et al.) cause mild to severe acute human respiratory illnesses. The liver-damaging hepatitis A, B, and C viruses and several other viruses, including Zika, chikungunya, dengue, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and a few more, have caused consternation in human health in the last four decades. Indeed, viruses have comparatively faster-mutating rates, resulting in suitably surviving strains that pose significant hazards to humanity (Kapoor et al). There is a regular advent of novel and versatile viral strains that survive the hard preventive measures, which had been addressed by newly identified anti-viral agent(s) with lesser side effects/host toxicity, in the past.

Several lethal viruses have recently caused pandemics, and a few more drugs have been located/produced to effectively treat those viral diseases (Li et al. 2022; Mohanty et al. 2021; Issa et al. 2022; Beck et al. 2013). Most of the anti-viral medicines have detrimental failures with long-term drug resistance. Various plants are valuable assets, which are to be explored, especially in emerging resistant infectious diseases (Idriss et al. 2023a, b; Mukhtar et al. 2008). Undeniably, plant-derived phytoactive compounds are potential therapeutic metabolites with the power to obstruct, control viral uptake, attach to surface receptors, and compete for pathways of activation of intracellular signals (Mao et al. 2022; Ghosh et al. 2009; Kapoor et al. 2017; Khan et al. 2005; Mohapatra and Dar 2010).

Furthermore, plant-derived phytoactive compounds are the most wanted items in pharmacology to investigate, extract active ingredients, and demonstrate the inherent therapeutic properties. Currently, phytochemicals are conjugated with nanoparticles to increase their efficacy against several diseases (Bakrim et al. 2022; Goktas et al. 2020), and a similar conjugated nanoparticles approach can be taken against infectious viral diseases to increase the potency of phytoactive compounds. However, only about 25% of phytocompounds are used as drugs (Cragg and Newman 2005; Kapoor et al. 2017). Moreover, since time immemorial, phytocompounds from around 2500 meditational plant species had been recorded as traditional medicines (De Smet 2002; Shinwari 2010) (Fig. 1). The major bioactive phytocompounds are coumarins, thiosulfonates, steroids, polysaccharides, tannins, lignins, proanthocyanidins, terpenes, quinones, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols, which are known to fight several viral infections (Kapoor et al. 2017). Mostly, about 20–30% of plants from tropical or temperate regions are known to have some antiviral activity (Roumy et al. 2020; Perez 2003). In this review, some bioactive phytochemicals with antiviral activity are described, which might be helpful for antiviral research.

Emerging diseases from viral infections, especially in this era, are a serious challenge to humanity. Phytochemicals with broad-spectrum anti-viral effects could be used to discover novel drugs for such dreadful infectious diseases causing a pandemic. Some examples such as Lindera aggregate, Pyrrosia lingua, Artemisia annua, Myrica cerifera, Curcuma longa, Rheum palmatum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Amaranthus tricolor, Citri reticulatae pericarpium, Erigeron breviscapus, Fraxinus sieboldiana, Hyptis atrorubens Poit, Camellia sinensis, Phyllanthus emblica, Lycoris radiate, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza radix, Psorothamnus arborescens, and Scutellaria baicalensis appeared to have a broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Among these, Lycoris radiate (Li et al. 2005; Mani et al. 2020) and Nigella sativa (Idrees et al. 2021) had shown powerful anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARSr-CoV) activity. Several plant-derived phytoactive compounds previously known to have broad-spectrum antiviral effects could unveil new drugs for newly emerging novel viral strains (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 2). Lycorine from L. radiate had shown a high efficiency against SARS-CoV (EC50 of 15.7 ± 1.2 nM), with more than 900 selectivity index. In this context, L. radiate has toxic effects at low levels (Kretzing et al. 2011; Mani et al. 2020). Theaflavin a phytoactive compound found in Camellia sinensis had been shown in silico effectively against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains (Lung et al. 2020; Mani et al. 2020). The phytoactive compounds from all these above plants could be screened for SARS-CoV-2.

Phytoactive compounds for influenza

Influenza is the upper respiratory tract disease, involving seasonal or climatic occurrences from avian and other zoonotic origins, causing global 3 to 5 million morbid cases annually (Krammer et al. 2018). Previous and recent research shows a wide range of phytochemicals could prevent the influenza virus both in vitro (Eggers et al. 2022; Yang et al. 2022; Idriss et al. 2023a, b; Mothana et al. 2006; Pantev et al. 2006; Prajoubklang et al. 2005) and in vivo (Ivanova et al. 2005; Prahoveanu et al. 1985). Moreover, flavonoids derived from aerial parts of Salvia plebeia were proven effective against influenza A (H1N1) neuraminidase, inhibiting the replication cycle (Bang et al. 2016). An alkaloid extracted from Commelina communis, the homonojirimycin (HNJ), had been reported to have strong anti-H1N1 activity in vivo and good survival rates in infected mice (Ghildiyal et al. 2020; Zhang et al. 2013). Investigations were shown as the potential anti-influenza activity by several phytochemicals (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 3A–C), such as saponins, polyphenols, glucosides, flavonoids, and alkaloids (Cock and Vuuren 2020; Wang et al. 2006). This phytochemical would be capable of producing possible phytoactive compounds to control the influenza virus in the future.

Role of phytoactive compound for HIV/AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects specifically CD4+ T cells (helper T cells) weakening the immune system over the infection time, thereby causing the problem of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Out of the two main types of HIVs, HIV-1 is more potent and more contagious than HIV-2 and is the major cause of HIV contagion, worldwide. There are about 38 million people infected with HIV worldwide (WHO 2023). Recent literature suggested the use of phytoactive compounds could be affordable and proficient in inhibiting the HIV-1 progression (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 4). These also ease toxicity issues of treatment, as phytochemicals do not accumulate significantly in human organs and can be easily digested and eliminated out of the body. The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) has summarized a list of potent medicinal plants with advantageous effects for HIV individuals. This list also provides identification and herbal products for controlling HIV and associated infections (Mukhtar et al. 2008). One such antiretroviral phytoactive compound could be derived from Terminalia catappa, Jatropha curcas, Cordia spinescens, Hyptis lantanifolia, and Etrapteris macrocarpa possessing anti-HIV properties (Matsuse et al. 1998). These are flavonoids cyanidin, ellagitannins, gallotannins, and tannins (Dwevedi et al. 2016). Griffithsin a lectin derived from Griffithsia sp., a red alga that inhibited the viral entry into the host cell. Similarly, cyanovirin-N derived from several cyanobacteria showed comparable inhibition of HIV entry. Mirabamide A and neamphamide A extracted from different sponges show anti-HIV activity even in low concentrations. Triterpene betulinic acid derivative bevirimat derived from Chinese traditional herbs have been shown in vitro to inhibit HIV with enhancing efficacy.

Phytoactive compound for herpesvirus

Human herpes viruses (HHVs) family has several varieties of DNA viruses, out of which herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) cause the majority of infection. Other notorious HHVs, which cause infection are HHV-3, HHV-4, HHV-5, HHV-6A, HHV-6B, HHV-7, and HHV-8. Aqueous extract of Podophyllum peltatum L. prohibits HSV-1 in vitro (Bedows and Hatfield 1982). Acetone extract of Phyllanthus urinaria and Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae) could also inhibit HSV-2 and HSV-1 (Xiang et al. 2011; Yang et al. 2007a, b). Even extract of few other medicinal plants is effective, which suggest that phytoactive compounds have potential anti-HSV activity (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 5). There is always a pursuit for anti-viral drugs, which could vanquish virus-resistant or repress the emergence of resistance viral strains. One such example is the roots of Carissa edulis Vahl (Apocynaceae) also showed a significant anti-HSV activity in vitro and in vivo (Mukhtar et al. 2008; Tolo et al. 2006). In recent studies, extract of Ginkgo biloba had been shown with potential anti-HSV activities suggesting G. biloba could supplement current therapies for HSV (Sochocka et al. 2019).

Phytoactive compound for hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory state of the liver that can provoke an array of health disorders and can be lethal. The five main strains of the hepatitis virus are type A, B, C, D, and E. However, types B and C are the most fatal, as those cause chronic diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, and ultimately mortality (Roumy et al. 2020). Approximately 325 million people are living with hepatitis B and/or C worldwide by WHO, 2023. Clinical studies on different species of Phyllanthus sp. have revealed its anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) properties, which inhibit HBV polymerase activity and mRNA transcription (Ravikumar et al. 2011; Lee et al. 1996; Ott et al. 1997; Wang et al. 2006). Oenanthe javanica (Apiaceae) had been shown as a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (Wang et al. 2005). Similarly, Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. (Apocynaceae) inhibited HBsAgs binding, with the additional inhibition of HBV DNA polymerase (Siddiqui et al. 2017). Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acantheceae) lowered transaminase by reducing HBV-prompted liver damages (Siddiqui et al. 2017; Wei et al. 2015). Sometimes, combinations of extracts of different medicinal plants were tried for better effects in particular therapies. One such example was the combination of phytoactive compounds of the reishi mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum and Sophorae flavescentis (Fabaceae), which proved to have a powerful anti-HBV effect in vitro and in vivo (Li et al. 2005) (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 6).

Phytoactive compound for chikungunya

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is causing surging “ignored” tropical infectious Arbovirus disease that causes a high fever and intense pain in joints (Arthralgia). It was first reported in 1952, and approximately, it has infected over 2 million people since 2005 by WHO, 2023. It has no specific anti-viral treatment, but the focus has been to relieve the symptoms. Diterpenoid type “trigowiin A” extracted from Trigonostemon howii (Euphorbiaceae) exhibited a moderate anti-CHIKV activity, and another unique indigenous plant Trigonostemon cherrieri (Euphorbiaceae) had a moderate to fair anti-CHIKV control (Bhakat and Soliman 2015). However, phytoactive compounds extracted from Croton mauritianus (Euphorbiaceae) leaves had some promising anti-chikungunya effects (Corlay et al. 2014). A coumarin derived from Mammea americana (Calophyllaceae) and Tabernaemontana cymosa (Apocynaceae) showed 100% inhibition for both chikungunya and dengue virus (Gómez-Calderón et al. 2017). Hexane extract of Santalum album (Santalaceae), Trichosanthes dioica (Cucurbitaceae), Chrysopogon zizanioides (Poaceae), and Andrographis paniculata (Acantheceae) contains coumarins, which is potential in inhibiting viral growth (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 7). Therefore, these are mostly used for the treatment of both the chikungunya and dengue viruses (Ghildiyal et al.

Phytoactive compound for dengue

Dengue virus (DENV) has emerged as one of the virulent tropical and subtropical infectious arbovirus causing a disease, which causes a wide range of diseases ranging from subclinical disease to acute flu-like signs. It was first recorded during the 1950s, and now, approximately 100–400 million people are infected each year by WHO, 2023. It has no specific anti-viral treatment, but the focus has been to reduce fever and pain along with maintenance of the infected person’s body fluid volume. It has four serotypes, meaning a person can be infected four times. An Ayurvedic polyherbal concoction called Nilavembu Kudineer (NVK) with Andrographis paniculata as the main constituent and other extracts from Mollugo cerviana (Molluginaceae), Piper nigrum (Piperaceae), Zingeber officinale (Zingeberaceae), Cyperus rotandus (Cyperaceae), Trichosanthes cucumerina, Santalum album, Vetiveria zizanioides (Piperaceae), and V. zizanioides Hedyotis diffusa and Artemisia capillaris had been reported to show good anti-DENV and anti-CHIKV during infection in vitro (Mao et al. 2022; Jain et al. 2020). Baicalein and fisetin phytoactive compounds had been shown to impede replication at different stages. Furthermore, flavonoids obtained from Tephrosia madrensis (Cucurbitaceae), T. viridiflora, and T. crassifolia showed a 70% inhibition on dengue viruses (Sánchez et al. 2000). Acetone-soluble leaf extract of Pavetta tomentosa (Rubiaceae) and Tarenna asiatica (Rubiaceae) had also been recently reported for the potential anti-dengue effects (Pratheeba et al. 2019) (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 8).

Phytoactive compound for Zika

Zika virus (ZIKV) is another resurging tropical infectious, Arbovirus disease causes mild fever, malaise conjunctivitis, rash, and joint and muscle pain. This also increased the risk of neurologic disorders such as myelitis, neuropathy, and the Guillain-Barré syndrome. It was first reported in monkeys in 1947 and thereafter in humans in 1952 in Uganda. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact, organ transplantation, from mother to fetus during pregnancy, and transfusion of blood and blood products by WHO, 2023. It has no specific anti-viral treatment, but in recent years, researchers have detected curcumin and pinocembrin found in turmeric, and tea extracts from Hedyotis diffusa and Artemisia capillaris are found to have replication repressive effect (Mao et al. 2022), respectively in having anti-ZIKV effects (Akbar et al. 2018; Lee et al. 2019). Extract from endemic plants, Aphloia theiformis (Aphloiceae) and Psiloxylon mauritianum (Myrtaceae), found at Reunion Island, inhibited ZIKV adherence to cell surface makings by both anti-ZIKV and anti-DENV (Clain et al. 2019, 2018). Hexane extracts of Tontelea micrantha (Celastraceae) were also reported to have a promising result of anti-ZIKA effect with no cytotoxicity in vitro (Ferreira et al. 2019) (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 9).

Phytoactive compound for Ebola

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but severe, often fatal resurging infectious disease, which causes the hemorrhagic fever. It was first reported in 1976, and in the recent 2018–2019 outbreak, it caused an average fatality rate of about 50%. It can be transmitted from human to human by blood or body fluids by WHO, 2023. As there is no proven treatment, only supportive care and experimental Ebola vaccine have improved the survival rate. WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have estimated rate t as label 4 virus (requiring biosafety level 4-equivalent containment) by CDC, 2009. Leaf and bark extracts of Aglaia foveolata (fam. Mahogany) and aqueous extracts of Prunella vulgaris (Lamiaceae) had shown to have an anti-EVD effect (Ben-Shabat et al. 2020; Kapoor et al. 2017). In silico-based drug design had shown bioactive compounds extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae), Fumaria indica (Papaveraceae), and Adhatoda vasica (Acanthaceae) which had shown the best docking conformations of the ligands against Ebola virus (EBOV)-glycoprotein-and-host-cell-proteins, suggesting a possible anti-EVD from these plants (Shaikh et al. 2019). Curcumin found in turmeric had proven to be effective anti-EBOV (Baikerikar 2017) (Table ​(Table1)1) (Fig. 10).

Phytoactive compound for Marburg

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but highly virulent infectious disease that causes hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate of 88%. Its Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae family of viruses and was first reported in 1967. Both the diseases are clinically similar and highly potent to cause histrionic outbreaks with high casualty rates by WHO, 2023. It had been declared as label 4 virus by WHO and CDC in 2009. The in silico-based drug design had shown bioactive compounds extracted from Murraya koenigii (Rutaceae) leaf had shown the best docking confirmations for 6 proteins of Marburg virus (MARV) (Taj et al. 2018). Bioactive compounds such as palmatine, squalene chloride, delphinidin, and marmin show the maximum binding energy for MARV protein in silico (Badoni et al. 2015) (Fig. 11).

Mechanism of action and effect of anti-viral phytoactive compounds

Viruses contain a genome (DNA or RNA) covered by a protein capsule, which stores a few enzymes and in some may be covered by a lipid envelope. The main concept behind the anti-viral drug is to recognize viral proteins or parts of viral proteins, that can be deactivated/weakened/destroyed, obstructing viral replication by inhibiting the entry of the virus into the host cell in controlling the viral uptake, attaching to surface receptors, and by competing for pathways of activation of intracellular signals (Ghosh et al. 2009; Kapoor et al. 2017; Khan et al. 2005; Mohapatra and Dar 2010). For a drug to have the broad-spectrum effect, the viral targets should also be common for many strains of a virus or at least, for different species in the same family. Creating secure and potent anti-viral drugs is tough, as viruses tend to replicate in a host cell (hard to find viral targets without damaging host cell), mutate fast, viral variation, and in the long term develop resistance. Each virus has a specific life cycle depending on the strain, but those all follow a specific pattern: (1) adhesion to host cell, (2) liberation of the viral genome and perhaps enzymes into the host cell, (3) replication of viral parts by subjugating host-cell machinery, (4) congregation of viral parts into full viral particles, and (5) liberation of viral particles to infect fresh host cells (Fig. 12).

One of the strategies is to inhibit the adhesion of the virus to the host cell. This would be achieved by blocking receptor sites on host cells by anti-virus-associated protein (VAP) antibodies. Inhibiting the entry by a powerful entry-inhibitor or entry-blocker agent may not only impede the spreading of the virus within an infected person but also the dissemination from an infected person to an uninfected person is stopped. Eventually, this will result in difficulties for the virus to develop resistance, as those would not use host-cell machinery to reproduce and mutate. Even research has been conducted for blocking sockets on the viral surface that checks the un-coating process. The next strategy is to focus on methods virus use to synthesize Alarcón by subjugating host-cell machinery. The target is to block at the label of transcription, translation, and post-translational modifications (Alarcón et al. 1988; Deas et al. 2005; Ryu and Lee 2003). Thereafter, the next step is to inhibit the congregation of viral parts into full viral particles and releases (Sodeik et al. 1994). The final and important step is to stimulate the immune system to attack viruses by generating antibodies and interferon (Samuel 2001) (Fig. 12).

Structural activity relationship studies of antiviral action of phytocompounds