Exploration of Plant Phytomolecules’ Potential for Antiviral Activity

Viral infections are increasing continuously, and we do not have proper treatment. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is an emerging threat globally. If we look into the Indian perspective against COVID-19, plant-based medicine available in ancient literature has been used, like Charaka Samhita and current ayurvedic pharmacopeia. Many viral diseases will come in the future, for which, there is a need to establish concept-based treatment with scientifically-proven pharmacological action. The plant's primary and secondary metabolites are responsible for pharmacological activities. Many plants have shown their efficacy in viral infections through their phytochemicals. In this chapter, we have conceptualized the same and identified the plants with their metabolites, which can be a direction for future research on viral disease. Currently available allopathic treatments have efficacy but toxicities too.

For a better understanding of the diseases, the pathophysiology of the same is one of the components, as it gives a complete idea about how the viruses affect us. In the Indian traditional drug system, many folk medicines are available that need to establish the correlation with the targeted sites for a disease, which can give us the direction for future viral infections. The urgency is also to standardize these drugs for proper use among the global population. For identification, isolation of primary and secondary metabolites can help in treatment and drug targeting. The beauty of traditional medicine is that it is affordable because of its availability in different regions across the globe.