scholarly journals Antiviral Properties of Flavonoids and Delivery Strategies

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolino Ninfali ◽  
Antonella Antonelli ◽  
Mauro Magnani ◽  
Emanuele Salvatore Scarpa
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Delivery Strategies

This review summarizes the latest advancements in phytochemicals as functional antiviral agents. We focused on flavonoids, like apigenin, vitexin, quercetin, rutin and naringenin, which have shown a wide range of biological effects including antiviral activities. The molecular mechanisms of their antiviral effects mainly consist in the inhibition of viral neuraminidase, proteases and DNA/RNA polymerases, as well as in the modification of various viral proteins. Mixtures of different flavonoids or combination of flavonoids with antiviral synthetic drugs provide an enhancement of their antiviral effects. Recent strategies in drug delivery significantly contribute to overcoming the low bioavailability of flavonoids. Frequent viral infections worldwide have led to the need for new effective antiviral agents, which can be identified among the various phytochemicals. In this light, screening the antiviral activities of a cocktail of flavonoids would be advantageous in order to prevent viral infections and improve current antiviral therapies.

scholarly journals Human Type I Interferon Antiviral Effects in Respiratory and Reemerging Viral Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricio L. Acosta ◽  
Alana B. Byrne ◽  
Diego R. Hijano ◽  
Laura B. Talarico
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Host Defense ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Type I Interferons ◽  
Type I ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
Wide Range

Type I interferons (IFN-I) are a group of related proteins that help regulate the activity of the immune system and play a key role in host defense against viral infections. Upon infection, the IFN-I are rapidly secreted and induce a wide range of effects that not only act upon innate immune cells but also modulate the adaptive immune system. While IFN-I and many IFN stimulated genes are well-known for their protective antiviral role, recent studies have associated them with potential pathogenic functions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the complex effects of human IFN-I responses in respiratory as well as reemerging flavivirus infections of public health significance and the molecular mechanisms by which viral proteins antagonize the establishment of an antiviral host defense. Antiviral effects and immune modulation of IFN-stimulated genes is discussed in resisting and controlling pathogens. Understanding the mechanisms of these processes will be crucial in determining how viral replication can be effectively controlled and in developing safe and effective vaccines and novel therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Antiviral Potential of Nanoparticles—Can Nanoparticles Fight Against Coronaviruses?

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangiliyandi Gurunathan ◽  
Muhammad Qasim ◽  
Youngsok Choi ◽  
Jeong Tae Do ◽  
Chankyu Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Organic Nanoparticles ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Low Probability

Infectious diseases account for more than 20% of global mortality and viruses are responsible for about one-third of these deaths. Highly infectious viral diseases such as severe acute respiratory (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are emerging more frequently and their worldwide spread poses a serious threat to human health and the global economy. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 27 July 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 16 million people and led to the death of more than 652,434 individuals as on 27 July 2020 while also causing significant economic losses. To date, there are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19. Hence, it is necessary to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines to help mitigate this pandemic. Non-Conventional antiviral agents must also be considered and exploited. In this regard, nanoparticles can be used as antiviral agents for the treatment of various viral infections. The use of nanoparticles provides an interesting opportunity for the development of novel antiviral therapies with a low probability of developing drug resistance compared to conventional chemical-based antiviral therapies. In this review, we first discuss viral mechanisms of entry into host cells and then we detail the major and important types of nanomaterials that could be used as antiviral agents. These nanomaterials include silver, gold, quantum dots, organic nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers and polymers. Further, we consider antiviral mechanisms, the effects of nanoparticles on coronaviruses and therapeutic approaches of nanoparticles. Finally, we provide our perspective on the future of nanoparticles in the fight against viral infections.

scholarly journals Pleiotropic Biological Effects of Dietary Phenolic Compounds and their Metabolites on Energy Metabolism, Inflammation and Aging

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 596 ◽  
Author(s):  
María del Carmen Villegas-Aguilar ◽  
Álvaro Fernández-Ochoa ◽  
María de la Luz Cádiz-Gurrea ◽  
Sandra Pimentel-Moral ◽  
Jesús Lozano-Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Prevalence

Dietary phenolic compounds are considered as bioactive compounds that have effects in different chronic disorders related to oxidative stress, inflammation process, or aging. These compounds, coming from a wide range of natural sources, have shown a pleiotropic behavior on key proteins that act as regulators. In this sense, this review aims to compile information on the effect exerted by the phenolic compounds and their metabolites on the main metabolic pathways involved in energy metabolism, inflammatory response, aging and their relationship with the biological properties reported in high prevalence chronic diseases. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated their pleiotropic molecular mechanisms of action and these findings raise the possibility that phenolic compounds have a wide variety of roles in different targets.

scholarly journals Research Progress of the Antiviral Bioactivities of Natural Flavonoids

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 271-283
Author(s):  
Lin Wang ◽  
Junke Song ◽  
Ailin Liu ◽  
Bin Xiao ◽  
Sha Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Therapeutic Applications ◽  
Pharmaceutical Applications ◽  
Antiviral Activities

Abstract Flavonoids are now considered as an indispensable component in a variety of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Most recent researches have focused on the health aspects of flavonoids for humans. Especially, different flavonoids have been investigated for their potential antiviral activities, and several natural flavonoids exhibited significant antiviral properties both in vitro and in vivo. This review provides a survey of the literature regarding the evidence for antiviral bioactivities of natural flavonoids, highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms of natural flavonoids on viruses, and presents the details of most reported flavonoids. Meanwhile, future perspectives on therapeutic applications of flavonoids against viral infections were discussed.

Viruses, chemotherapy and immunity

Parasitology ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 105 (S1) ◽  
pp. S85-S92 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Koziel ◽  
B. D. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Host Immune Response ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
Hiv 1

An increasing number of antiviral agents are presently in various stages of development and testing, and an increasing number have recently been licensed for use in humans. These drugs have been used extensively to treat viral infections in immunocompromised individuals, and these studies indicate that for many antiviral agents the response to therapy is highly dependent on the integrity of the underlying host immune response. In particular, the response to zidovudine, acyclovir and ganciclovir in persons with HIV-1 infection is highly dependent upon CD4 number, which can be considered a surrogate marker for the state of host immune function in these subjects. Responses to interferons likewise can be shown to depend on the host immune response, with responses due to both direct antiviral effects of this agent as well as immunomodulatory effects mediated through interferon-induced upregulation of HLA molecule expression.

scholarly journals Plant-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides as Potential Antiviral Agents in Systemic Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Nour Mammari ◽  
Ysaline Krier ◽  
Quentin Albert ◽  
Marc Devocelle ◽  
Mihayl Varbanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Lipid Transfer ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules ◽  
Systemic Infections ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

Numerous studies have led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of viruses in systemic infections for the development of prevention strategies and very promising antiviral therapies. Viruses still remain one of the main causes of human diseases, mainly because the development of new vaccines is usually challenging and drug resistance has become an increasing concern in recent decades. Therefore, the development of potential antiviral agents remains crucial and is an unmet clinical need. One abundant source of potential therapeutic molecules are plants: they biosynthesize a myriad of compounds, including peptides which can have antimicrobial activity. Our objective is to summarize the literature on peptides with antiviral properties derived from plants and to identify key features of these peptides and their application in systemic viral infections. This literature review highlights studies including clinical trials which demonstrated that plant cyclotides have the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses causing human diseases, defensin-like peptides possess anti-HIV-1 activity, and lipid transfer proteins and some lectins exhibit a varied antimicrobial profile. To conclude, plant peptides remain interesting to explore in the context of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Mechanisms and functions of p38 MAPK signalling

2010 ◽  
Vol 429 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cuadrado ◽  
Angel R. Nebreda
Keyword(s):  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mapk Signalling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
External Signals ◽  
Protein Kinase Signalling ◽  
Genetic Mouse Models

The p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signalling pathway allows cells to interpret a wide range of external signals and respond appropriately by generating a plethora of different biological effects. The diversity and specificity in cellular outcomes is achieved with an apparently simple linear architecture of the pathway, consisting of a core of three protein kinases acting sequentially. In the present review, we dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying p38 MAPK functions, with special emphasis on the activation and regulation of the core kinases, the interplay with other signalling pathways and the nature of p38 MAPK substrates as a source of functional diversity. Finally, we discuss how genetic mouse models are facilitating the identification of physiological functions for p38 MAPKs, which may impinge on their eventual use as therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Phagocytosis, Degranulation and Extracellular Traps Release by Neutrophils—The Current Knowledge, Pharmacological Modulation and Future Prospects

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Gierlikowska ◽  
Albert Stachura ◽  
Wojciech Gierlikowski ◽  
Urszula Demkow
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Effector Functions ◽  
Pharmacological Modulation ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Extracellular Traps

Neutrophils are crucial elements of innate immune system, which assure host defense via a range of effector functions, such as phagocytosis, degranulation, and NET formation. The latest literature clearly indicates that modulation of effector functions of neutrophils may affect the treatment efficacy. Pharmacological modulation may affect molecular mechanisms activating or suppressing phagocytosis, degranulation or NET formation. In this review, we describe the role of neutrophils in physiology and in the course of bacterial and viral infections, illustrating the versatility and plasticity of those cells. This review also focus on the action of plant extracts, plant-derived compounds and synthetic drugs on effector functions of neutrophils. These recent advances in the knowledge can help to devise novel therapeutic approaches via pharmacological modulation of the described processes.

scholarly journals Bioactive Compounds as Potential Agents for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Management: A Review to Explore Molecular Mechanisms of Action

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Sharifi-Rad ◽  
Cristina Quispe ◽  
Amirhossein Rahavian ◽  
Joara Nályda Pereira Carneiro ◽  
Janaína Esmeraldo Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Antiviral Effects

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are produced by pathogens like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, and may generate severe health problems such as cancer, ulcers, and even problems in the newborn. This narrative review aims to present updated information about the use of natural bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. A search of the literature was performed using databases and search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct. From the pharmacotherapeutic management point of view, any strategies for prevention should contain medical approaches. The bioactive compounds obtained from natural products have shown biological effects against different microorganisms for the treatment of these diseases. The main results showed antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antifungal and antiviral effects such as HIV. Also, the molecular mechanisms, signalling pathways and action targets of natural compounds were highlighted, thus justifying bacterial and antifungal inhibition, apoptosis or reduction of viral replication. From the data of our study, we can conclude that natural compounds may be a significant source for adjuvant drugs / complementary therapies in the treatment of STDs. With all these benefits, the future must conduct extensive clinical trials and the development of pharmaceutical nanotechnologies for a greater therapeutic effect.

scholarly journals Cyotkines as Potential Therapies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl a) ◽  
pp. 28A-35A
Author(s):  
Robert W Sidwell ◽  
John D Morrey ◽  
Reed P Warren
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Hiv Disease ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The Many

Cytokines are attracting increased interest as potential therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. This attraction has particularly arisen as these cytokines have become more commercially available through recombinant technologies. This review focuses on the effects of these biological response modifiers on preclinical HIV and related retrovirus infections. Cytokines that have particularly been considered for HIV disease control include: interferons -α , -β and -γ, interleukins-2. -3. -4. -6 and -7; tumour necrosis factors -α and -β; and the colony stimulating factors. Efficacy has especially been seen when these cytokines have been used in combination with the more conventional antiviral agents. Due to the many biological functions exerted by cytokines and their interweaving of biological effects with other cytokines, they appear to have the potential to both inhibit as well as enhance viral infections, depending upon how they are used, and caution is therefore urged in their use.

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