Potential Antivirals: Natural Products Targeting Replication Enzymes of Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses

Molecules. 2017 Mar 22;22(3):505. doi: 10.3390/molecules22030505.

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are reemergent arboviruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus. During the last several decades, these viruses have been responsible for millions of cases of infection and thousands of deaths worldwide. Therefore, several investigations were conducted over the past few years to find antiviral compounds for the treatment of DENV and CHIKV infections. One attractive strategy is the screening of compounds that target enzymes involved in the replication of both DENV and CHIKV. In this review, we describe advances in the evaluation of natural products targeting the enzymes involved in the replication of these viruses.

Keywords: antiviral; chikungunya; dengue; natural products; virus enzymes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Chikungunya virus / drug effects*
  • Chikungunya virus / enzymology*
  • Chikungunya virus / physiology
  • Dengue Virus / drug effects*
  • Dengue Virus / enzymology*
  • Dengue Virus / physiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Viral Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Viral Proteins