Anti-Viral Medicinal Plants & Their Chemical Constituents, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology of Antiviral Plants

ABSTRACT:

Anti-viral medicinal plants have played an essential role in traditional healthcare systems for centuries. These plants offer natural compounds that help treat various viral infections with fewer side effects than conventional drugs. In this review, we discuss several well-known medicinal plants such as Boerhavia diffusa, Phyllanthus amarus, Eclipta alba, Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa, and Glycyrrhiza glabra. These species contain important chemical constituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, and terpenes, which show promising antiviral activity. Recent clinical and experimental studies support their potential to fight viruses, especially those that affect the liver and respiratory systems. Anti-viral medicinal plants and their chemical constituents play a vital role in experimental and clinical pharmacology by offering natural compounds with proven antiviral properties and therapeutic potential.

INTRODUCTION:

Anti-viral medicinal plants have long supported human health. Across cultures and centuries, people have relied on herbal remedies to treat diseases, especially infections. Today, these plants are gaining global attention as natural, safer alternatives to synthetic antiviral drugs. Unlike chemical-based medicines, herbal remedies often produce fewer side effects and show a wide range of health benefits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 80% of the global population uses traditional medicine for primary healthcare. Much of this involves anti-viral medicinal plants. These plants offer a wide variety of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, and terpenes. Each of these plays a unique role in fighting off infections and supporting the immune system.Many plant-based antiviral agents have been studied in both lab settings and human trials. For example, Phyllanthus amarus has shown effectiveness against hepatitis B, while Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) demonstrates promising results against respiratory viruses. These findings confirm that anti-viral medicinal plants not only work in theory but also perform well under clinical conditions.Researchers continue to explore the mechanisms of these compounds. In most cases, the active constituents target viral replication or boost the host’s immune response. These mechanisms make medicinal plants valuable in treating diseases like hepatitis, influenza, and even viral skin infections.

DOWNLOAD

INDEXED IN