Antiviral effect of phytochemicals of the mediterranean medicinal plants

Ludmila Yarmolinsky, Jonathan Gorelick, Shimon Ben-Shabat

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Viral infection is an important health problem worldwide due to the rapid development of resistant mutants against current therapeutic agents. There are only a few antiviral drugs available for the treatment of viral diseases and they have generally inadequate efficacy and a number of serious adverse effects. Medicinal plants may be an alternative strategy for treatment of viral diseases. Although many herbs have a very good folkloric reputation, their antiviral properties have not yet been investigated. Medicinal plants from the Mediterranean region have been used in medicine since ancient times and are well known for their successful therapeutic activity. Many phytochemicals including glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenolics, coumarins, saponins, furil compounds, alkaloids, different sugars, proteins and peptides isolated from these plants demonstrated antiviral properties. The purpose of this review is to provide the verified data on the antiviral activities of the herb extracts and pure compounds isolated from the medicinal plants of the Mediterranean flora and to discuss the various mechanisms of their actions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationViral Infections
Subtitle of host publicationCauses, Treatment Options and Potential Complications
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages247-269
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9781631172229
ISBN (Print)9781631172212
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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