Potential of Naturally-occurring Compounds for the Development of Dietary Supplements with Antiviral Activity

Abstract

Viral infections are a major concern for public health systems. The possibility of outbreaks and pandemics can be devastating at a global scale, as seen with the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, it is imperative to control the spread of viruses, especially highly-virulent strains, for which the administration of vaccines continues to be the best strategy; however, these may be not available for certain viruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus, or they can quickly lose efficacy towards highly-mutable viruses, such as the influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In such cases, treatments that can attenuate the infection and hamper the multiplication of the virus need to be widely accessible. Drugs are available to treat several virus infections, although they may impose considerable side effects and drug resistance can occur from continuous administration. In this case, alternative treatments should be procured. Polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other natural compounds have demonstrated antiviral activity, acting through multiple mechanisms, and showing inhibition of proteins and enzymes that are essential during the life cycle of viruses. This chapter examines recent findings on the antiviral effects of bioactive compounds found in nature, highlighting the characteristics that can make them potential ingredients for the development of antiviral dietary supplements.