scholarly journals Development of Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents—Inspiration from Immunomodulatory Natural Products

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1257
Author(s):  
Mengxun Zhang ◽  
Jiaqing Zhong ◽  
Yongai Xiong ◽  
Xun Song ◽  
Chenyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
The Body ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Antiviral Effects

Developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs remains an important issue as viral infections continue to threaten public health. Host-directed therapy is a method that focuses on potential targets in host cells or the body, instead of viral proteins. Its antiviral effects are achieved by disturbing the life cycles of pathogens or modulating immunity. In this review, we focus on the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that enhance the immune response. Some natural products present antiviral effects mediated by enhancing immunity, and their structures and mechanisms are summarized here. Natural products with immunomodulatory effects are also discussed, although their antiviral effects remain unknown. Given the power of immunity and the feasibility of host-directed therapy, we argue that both of these categories of natural products provide clues that may be beneficial for the discovery of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

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.

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 Challenges at the Time of COVID-19: Opportunities and Innovations in Antivirals from Nature

Planta Medica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
pp. 659-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Hensel ◽  
Rudolf Bauer ◽  
Michael Heinrich ◽  
Verena Spiegler ◽  
Oliver Kayser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Early Interaction

AbstractAs viral infections are an increasing threat to human societies, the need for new therapeutic strategies is becoming even more obvious. As no vaccine is available for COVID-19, the development of directly acting antiviral agents and preventive strategies have to be considered. Nature provides a huge reservoir of anti-infectious compounds, from which we can deduce innovative ideas, therapies, and products. Anti-adhesive natural products interact with the receptor-mediated recognition and early interaction of viruses with the host cells, leading to a reduced internalisation of the virus and reduced infections (e.g., procyanidin-B-2-di-O-gallate against influenza and herpes virus). Lignans like podophyllotoxin and bicyclol show strong antiviral activities against different viruses, and essential oils can directly interact with viral membranes and reduce the hostʼs inflammatory responses (e.g., 1,8-cineol). Echinacea extracts stimulate the immune system, and bioavailable alkamides are key players by interacting with immunomodulating cannabinoid receptors. COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infections have, in part, successfully been treated in China by preparations from traditional Chinese medicine and, while it is too early to draw conclusions, some promising data are available. There is huge potential, but intensified research is needed to develop evidence-based medicines with a clearly defined chemical profile. Intensified research and development, and therefore funding, are needed for exploiting natureʼs reservoir against viral infections. Combined action for basic research, chemistry, pharmacognosy, virology, and clinical studies, but also supply chain, sustainable sourcing, and economic aspects have to be considered. This review calls for intensified innovative science on natural products for the patients and for a healthier world!

scholarly journals Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antiviral Agents

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Ratan ◽  
Fazla Rabbi Mashrur ◽  
Anisha Parsub Chhoan ◽  
Sadi Md. Shahriar ◽  
Mohammad Faisal Haidere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Characterization Methods ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
The Impact

Since the early 1990s, nanotechnology has led to new horizons in nanomedicine, which encompasses all spheres of science including chemistry, material science, biology, and biotechnology. Emerging viral infections are creating severe hazards to public health worldwide, recently, COVID-19 has caused mass human casualties with significant economic impacts. Interestingly, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited the potential to destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi using various methods. However, developing safe and effective antiviral drugs is challenging, as viruses use host cells for replication. Designing drugs that do not harm host cells while targeting viruses is complicated. In recent years, the impact of AgNPs on viruses has been evaluated. Here, we discuss the potential role of silver nanoparticles as antiviral agents. In this review, we focus on the properties of AgNPs such as their characterization methods, antiviral activity, mechanisms, applications, and toxicity.

scholarly journals NAD+-consuming enzymes in immune defense against viral infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 478 (23) ◽  
pp. 4071-4092
Author(s):  
Jialin Shang ◽  
Michael R. Smith ◽  
Ananya Anmangandla ◽  
Hening Lin
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Antiviral Immune Response ◽  
Antiviral Function

The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that in spite of the scientific progress in the past century, there is a lack of general antiviral strategies. In analogy to broad-spectrum antibiotics as antibacterial agents, developing broad spectrum antiviral agents would buy us time for the development of vaccines and treatments for future viral infections. In addition to targeting viral factors, a possible strategy is to understand host immune defense mechanisms and develop methods to boost the antiviral immune response. Here we summarize the role of NAD+-consuming enzymes in the immune defense against viral infections, with the hope that a better understanding of this process could help to develop better antiviral therapeutics targeting these enzymes. These NAD+-consuming enzymes include PARPs, sirtuins, CD38, and SARM1. Among these, the antiviral function of PARPs is particularly important and will be a focus of this review. Interestingly, NAD+ biosynthetic enzymes are also implicated in immune responses. In addition, many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 contain a macrodomain-containing protein (NSP3 in SARS-CoV-2), which serves to counteract the antiviral function of host PARPs. Therefore, NAD+ and NAD+-consuming enzymes play crucial roles in immune responses against viral infections and detailed mechanistic understandings in the future will likely facilitate the development of general antiviral strategies.

scholarly journals Synthetic Compounds with 2-Amino-1,3,4-Thiadiazole Moiety Against Viral Infections

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgeta Serban
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Pharmacological Profile ◽  
Synthetic Compounds ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Thiadiazole Derivatives ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Effective Medication

Viral infections have resulted in millions of victims in human history. Although great efforts have been made to find effective medication, there are still no drugs that truly cure viral infections. There are currently approximately 90 drugs approved for the treatment of human viral infections. As resistance toward available antiviral drugs has become a global threat to health, there is an intrinsic need to identify new scaffolds that are useful in discovering innovative, less toxic and highly active antiviral agents. 1,3,4-Thiadiazole derivatives have been extensively studied due to their pharmacological profile, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. This review provides an overview of the various synthetic compounds containing the 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety that has been evaluated for antiviral activity against several viral strains and could be considered possible prototypes for the development of new antiviral drugs.

scholarly journals Molecular Investigation of SARS–CoV-2 Proteins and Their Interactions with Antiviral Drugs

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Calligari ◽  
Sara Bobone ◽  
Giorgio Ricci ◽  
Alessio Bocedi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Viral Proteins ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Molecular Investigation ◽  
Docking Approach

A new Coronavirus strain, named SARS-CoV-2, suddenly emerged in early December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 resulted in being dramatically infectious, with thousands of people infected. In this scenario, and without effective vaccines available, the importance of an immediate tool to support patients and against viral diffusion becomes evident. In this study, we exploit the molecular docking approach to analyze the affinity between different viral proteins and several inhibitors, originally developed for other viral infections. Our data show that, in some cases, a relevant binding can be detected. These findings support the hypothesis to develop new antiviral agents against COVID-19, on the basis of already established therapies.

Natural Products in Mitigation of SARS CoV Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venu Sharma ◽  
Ankita Sharma ◽  
Sandip B. Bharate
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Viable Approach

: The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a critical respiratory disease caused by coronaviruses (CoV). The available antiviral agents or host-specific anti-inflammatory therapies are the principal treatment modalities, with drugrepurposing as the most viable approach to timely tackle the CoV pandemic. Though these approaches are successful to some extent in reducing the mortality rate, however, it is too far to see a complete escape from the current CoV-2 pandemic. Plants are the primary source of diet, dietary supplements, botanical drugs, and natural products (NPs). It has been well accepted and proved via several scientific studies that plant-based therapies play a vital role in protecting against such infections. The faulty immune system (compromised innate immunity or aberrant immune activation) decides the severity of the respiratory distress in CoV-2 infected patients. Natural products intervene at various stages of the virus replication cycle, including inhibition of virus entry into the host cells, inhibition of serine/ cysteine proteases, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) or helicase. Besides, several natural products or plant-based dietary ingredients have a unique ability to strengthen the immune system or alleviate the hyper-inflammatory condition. Many plant-based formulations, dietary supplements, and NPs are being investigated in clinical trials in CoV-2 patients, and few have already shown positive results. The review has unearthed several NP leads for medicinal chemistry programs as well as some having direct opportunity of repurposing in SARS CoV infections.

Anti-infective Agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (38) ◽  
pp. 3947-3948
Author(s):  
Haruaki Tomioka
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Body ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Qsar Analysis ◽  
Clinical Control

Certain bacterial, protozoal, and viral infections remain the most frequent infectious diseases causing morbidity and death globally. However, the development of new drugs for the treatment of such infectious diseases has been slow, although some promising drugs have been developed and used for clinical control of such intractable infections. For example, antiviral drugs, including remdesivir and favipiravir, are currently used for the clinical treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Notably, these drugs have been developed based on the drug repositioning technique. In addition, some immune-regulatory drugs, including corticosteroids, baricitinib and tocilizumab, help reduce inflammation in the body since inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19 patients. However, at present, we have substantially no new drugs, which act on metabolic reactions by specifically inhibiting viral proteins of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in host cells. Only recombinant antibodies specific to spike proteins of the coronavirus, such as bamlanivimab, etesevimab, casirivimab, and imdevimab, have been approved or are in the development for clinical use as immune-adjunctive treatment of COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms. In this context, the drug design based on quantitative structureactivity relationship (QSAR) analysis, especially three-dimensional-QSAR, may be very beneficial for the development of SARS-CoV-2- specific chemotherapeutic anti-infective agents [1]. ...

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