Abstract
In early 2020, a global pandemic was announced due to the emergence of severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known to cause COVID-19. Despite
worldwide efforts,
there are only limited options regarding antiviral drug treatments for COVID-19. Although
vaccines are now available, issues such as declining efficacy against different SARS-CoV-2
variants
and the aging of vaccine-induced immunity highlight the importance of finding more
antiviral drugs as a second line of defense against the disease. Drug repurposing
has been used to rapidly
find COVID-19 therapeutic options. Due to the lack of clinical evidence for the therapeutic
benefits and certain serious side effects of repurposed antivirals, the search for
an antiviral
drug against SARS-CoV-2 with fewer side effects continues. In recent years, numerous
studies have included antiviral chemicals from a variety of plant species. A better
knowledge of the
possible antiviral natural products and their mechanism against SARS-CoV-2 will help
to develop stronger and more targeted direct-acting antiviral agents. The aim of the
present study was to
compile the current data on potential plant metabolites that can be investigated in
COVID-19 drug discovery and development. This review represents a collection of plant
secondary
metabolites and their mode of action against SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
Key words
SARS-CoV-2 - antivirals - phytochemicals - natural products - medicinal plants - alternative
medicine