Background:
Antiviral resistance and inefficiency of available antiviral drugs to effectively treat viral infections have prompted many researchers worldwide to explore medicinal plants and their isolated compounds as alternative antivirals. The rich flora from the Mascarene Islands has also been thoroughly studied for their wide therapeutic activities, including their antiviral properties.
Objective:
The aim of this paper is to highlight the antiviral propensities of Mascarene endemic and indigenous medicinal plants.
Methodology:
A review of the literature was conducted via major databases and other primary sources of information. The inhibitory concentration/effective dose causing 50% viral inhibition (IC50/ED50), cytotoxic concentration causing 50% reduction in cell viability (CC50), and selectivity index (SI) were reported, and mechanisms of antiviral action were also discussed.
Results:
Stillingia lineata was the most effective against chikungunya virus (SI: 10.9), and among its isolated compounds, 12-O-acetylphorbol-13(2″-methyl)- butyrate and 12-deoxyphorbol-13(2″-methyl)butyrate were the most potent and selective inhibitors of chikungunya virus replication (SI= 41 and >240, respectively). 12-O-acetylphorbol-13(2″-methyl)- butyrate, 12β-O-[nona-2Z,4E,6E-trienoyl]-4α-deoxyphorbol-13-butyrate, 12-deoxyphorbol-13(2″-methyl)butyrate, and 12-deoxyphorbol-13-[8′-oxohexadeca-2E,4E,6E-trienoate showed strong selective antiviral effect on human immunodeficiency virus-I (SI 36-899) and II (SI 33-2056). Obetia ficifolia and Erythroxylon laurifolium were most active against the herpes virus (SI: 16 and 18.5, respectively). Labourdonnaisia glauca showed potent anti-poliovirus activity (SI: 40), while Badula insularis Labourdonnaisia glauca and Myonima violacea were active against Rhinovirus (SI: 1.3-2.5). The most effective against the Zika virus were Aphloia theiformis and Psiloxylon mauritianum. Both anti-zika and anti-dengue virus activity were reported for Doratoxylon apetalum.
Conclusion:
Promising spectrum of antiviral properties notably against Zika, dengue, chikungunya, polio, rhino, herpes, and human immunodeficiency viruses were presented by the Mascarene plants suggesting them as viable candidates for the potential development of effective natural antiviral drugs.