ABSTRACT
The main objective of the current systematic review was to report the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of bioactive molecules class known as alkaloids against SARS-COV-2 disease. These bioactive compounds were characterized by their potential replication inhibitory ability by DNA intercalating effect, and might be powerful agents against infections caused by several viruses, therefore it can be a viable strategy for COVID-19 management. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and SpringerLink, databases have been chosen to look for keywords like DNA intercalators, alkaloids, antiviral activity, anti-inflammatory effect, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Two reviewers have evaluated the quality of 60 articles extracted from the four databases till 15th of May 2021, using inclusions and exclusions criteria, 25 papers were accepted and treated in this systematic review, performed based on PRISMA protocol. Results disclosed that alkaloids have key roles in viral replication inhibition, quinine and emetine showed a noticeable therapeutic effect against SARS-COV-2 virus, however emetine revealed modifications in the electrocardiogram (ECG), unlike sanguinarine and berberine that showed low human toxicity. Tetrandrine, fangchinoline and cepharantine could be classified as remedies in case of Coronavirus ailment. Chelidonine, coptisine, skimmianine, protropine, palmatine, cinchonine, harmine and dictamine represented important agents for clinical researches or as precursors for antiviral drug’s formulation.
ABSTRACT
Respiratory viral infections are a major public health concern because of their global occurrence, ease of spread and considerable morbidity and mortality. Medical treatments for viral respiratory diseases primarily involve providing relief from symptoms like pain and discomfort rather than treating the infection. Very few antiviral medications have been approved with restrictive usage, high cost, unwanted side effects and limited availability. Plants with their unique metabolite composition and high remedial values offer unique preventive and therapeutic efficacy in treatment of viral infections. The present review is focused on the types and mode of action of plant secondary metabolites that have been used successfully ί in the treatment of infections caused by respiratory viruses like Influenza, SARS, MERS, RSV etc. Plant metabolites such as phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids and oligosaccharides inhibit attachment and entry of the virus. Others such as flavonoids, viz quercetin and baicalein, alkaloids viz sanguinarine, berberine and emetine, specific lipids and fatty acids prevent viral replication and protein synthesis. These metabolites have the potential to be used as lead molecules that can be optimized to develop potent drugs for effectively combating pandemics caused by respiratory viruses.