Antiviral Flavonoids: Exploring Their Potential as Natural Medicines

Abstract

Flavonoids, a diverse group of natural compounds found abundantly in plants, have garnered attention for their potential antiviral properties. This review summarizes key findings from various studies elucidating the antiviral activity of flavonoids, including their ability to inhibit viral entry, replication, and induce apoptosis in infected cells. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of exploring flavonoids as alternative therapies against viral infections, especially considering emerging drug-resistant viral strains and the limited efficacy of current antiviral medications. Understanding the mechanisms by which flavonoids exert their antiviral effects holds promise for the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Hence, further research into the antiviral potential of flavonoids is warranted, including elucidation of structure-activity relationships, investigation of synergistic effects with conventional antiviral drugs, and evaluation of their safety and efficacy in clinical settings. Such endeavors could ultimately lead to the development of effective and safe flavonoid-based antiviral medicines, offering new strategies for the management and prevention of viral diseases.