2015, Pages 175–200
Chapter 8 – Validation of Antiviral Potential of Herbal Ethnomedicine
Abstract
Natural
products are the basis of treatment since the dawn of human
civilization, and modern medicine has gradually developed, over the
years, by scientific and observational efforts from traditional
medicine. Today most of the synthetic drugs showed adverse and
unacceptable side effects, however, impressive bioactivities with
reduced toxicities were reported for many botanicals against several
chronic or difficult-to-treat diseases. A whole range of viral diseases
including human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Rabies, Dengue, and Herpes
need effective drugs. Considerable research has been carried out on the
pharmacognosy, chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics of traditional
medicines of diverse cultures, and many pharmaceutical companies have
renewed their strategies for antiviral drug development where no
effective drugs or vaccine exist. Thus, phytochemicals with antiviral
potentials need to be studied in depth with standardization, chemical
isolation, effectivity, molecular mechanism, along with in vivo toxicity
and efficacy to reduce cost and time. This review will portray the
scientific approaches and methodologies used for the development of
antiviral leads from traditional medicines against selected genetically
and functionally diverse viral infections.
Keywords
- Antiviral;
- Antiviral assay;
- Ethnomedicines;
- Herpes simplex virus;
- Human immunodeficiency virus;
- Influenza virus
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
