ABSTRACT
In view of increasing viral infections, bioactive compounds have been foreseen as an effective remedy against these infections. Viral infections have been the major cause of widespread infections and morbidities. Although different antiviral drugs are available in the market, several infections have gone beyond the reach of approved drugs. Due to economic prospective as well, the demand for antiviral drugs has been on the rise. The fact that traditional antiviral drugs that show potential in vitro efficiency are usually ineffective in patients means there is a need to explore safe and effective antiviral strategies to cure these diseases. The use of plants and their naturally derived extracts have shown the presence of many phytochemicals endowed with exceptional antiviral properties. Numerous plants have been used since ancient times for therapeutic purposes. Various phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenes are effective against parainfluenza virus, avian influenza virus and HSV1. Essential oils from medicinal plants have been known for its therapeutic characteristics and applications in treatment of acute and chronic disorders. This chapter encapsulates the literature studies on various biological molecules and essential oils and their effective role against viral replication.
