Abstract
Polyphenols are active substances against various types of viral infections. Researchers have characterized methods of how to isolate polyphenols without losing their potential to formulate pharmaceutical products. Researchers have also described mechanisms against common viral infections (i.e., influenza, herpes, hepatitis, rotavirus, coronavirus). Particular compounds have been discussed together with the plants in the biomass in which they occur. Quercetin, gallic acid and epigallocatechin are exemplary compounds that inhibit the growth cycle of viruses. Special attention has been paid to identify plants and polyphenols that can be efficient against coronavirus infections. It has been proven that polyphenols present in the diet and in pharmaceuticals protect us from viral infections and, in case of infection, support the healing process by various mechanisms, i.e., they block the entry into the host cells, inhibit the multiplication of the virus, seal blood vessels and protect against superinfection.
Highlights
Since time immemorial, plants have been sources of valuable bioactive substances used worldwide to treat various diseases
Many studies describe the effect of various polyphenols on the tobacco mosaic virus, which suggests that polyphenols might be applied in the treatment of viruses affecting plants
Recent studies have been centered on examining which components of polyphenolic extracts inhibit viruses of various origins, along with the determination of the inhibitory doses
Summary
Plants have been sources of valuable bioactive substances used worldwide to treat various diseases. Pérez-Jiménez et al (2010) identified the top 100 dietary sources of polyphenols: spices, fruits, seeds, vegetables, drinks and oils Most of these bioactive compounds are found in cloves (150 mg/g) and peppermint (112 mg/g). Having collected data from scientific sources, patents and clinical trials, Song et al (2021) have shown that Chinese herbal medicines (mixtures containing, among others, ginger, ginkgo, sage) can block the enzymatic activity of 3CLpro [8]. Acorns and their extracts can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication due to high concentrations of gallic acid [9]. We discuss the latest methods enabling the effective isolation of polyphenols from plants and their identification techniques
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