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Antiviral Potential of Natural Resources Against Influenza Virus Infections

Summary

This research examines how natural substances from bacteria, fungi, and animals could help fight influenza infections. Scientists are searching for new treatments because current flu medications often don’t work well enough and viruses can become resistant to them. The study found many promising natural compounds that could potentially be developed into new flu medications. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to more effective flu treatments that work even after symptoms appear – May help reduce the severity and duration of flu infections – Could provide options for treating drug-resistant flu strains – Might result in new combination therapies that work better than single drugs – Could help reduce hospitalizations and deaths from severe flu infections

Background

Influenza A (IAV) and B (IBV) viruses cause severe, contagious infections leading to an estimated 3-5 million severe disease cases and 300,000-500,000 deaths annually worldwide. While vaccination is the cornerstone of prevention, only two main classes of antiviral drugs are currently approved globally for treatment – M2 channel blockers and neuraminidase inhibitors. However, these compounds suffer from poor efficacy and rapid resistance development, creating an urgent need for new anti-influenza therapeutics.

Objective

This review aims to examine and summarize research on the identification of novel lead structures isolated from natural resources, particularly focusing on compounds and extracts derived from fungi and bacteria, as well as toxins and antimicrobial peptides from animals that show potential for treating influenza infections.

Results

The review identified numerous promising natural compounds with anti-influenza activity, including: bacterial sialidase DAS181 currently in phase III clinical trials; cyanovirin-N from cyanobacteria showing broad activity against multiple strains; various fungal metabolites like ophiobolin derivatives and mycophenolic acid; and animal-derived peptides like urumin from frog skin and melittin from bee venom. Many compounds showed significant antiviral effects in vitro, with some demonstrating efficacy in animal models.

Conclusion

Natural products represent a promising source for novel anti-influenza therapeutics due to their structural diversity and complexity. However, most compounds are in early research stages and require standardized testing methods and deeper investigation of mechanisms of action. The authors recommend increased cooperation between academia and industry through public-private partnerships to advance development, and suggest exploring combination therapies as a strategy to improve efficacy and reduce resistance development.
  • Published in:Viruses,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/v14112452
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