ABSTRACT
Natural products have served as a primary source of drugs since the ancient times, and today, about 50% of pharmaceutical compounds are obtained from natural sources. Studies from 1984 to 1995 revealed that a significant number of antiviral agents, particularly those approved by the FDA between 1983 and 1994, were modelled on a natural product parent. Approximately, 2.5 lakhs herbal and marine species were investigated for extraction of bioactive components. Viruses are the most catastrophic strains for epidemic transmissions and recently serious hazards have been experienced in public domain. Viruses are the only microscopic species which are highly sensitive for environmental changes and resistance to medicaments. Moreover, they appear immortal compared to other deadly microbes. They pose devastating effects not only on humans but on animals alike. Despite the development in molecular and herbal therapeutics, still inhibitors for mutated strains are often ineffective. Presently, diminutive treatment is accessible for viral diseases. Therefore, de-novo drug discovery in herbal medicines as antivirals is a present necessity for public health. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview on clinical antiviral natural products and approved drugs, with a primary focus on safe and effective herbal antiviral agents as promising natural therapeutics.
