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The antiviral potential of Phyllanthus species: a systematic review

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Abstract

Viral infections and diseases caused by viruses are worldwide problems. According to a WHO report, three to five million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) each year globally. Since some viruses mutate very quickly, developing antiviral drugs can be a daunting task. Moreover, currently used synthetic drugs are toxic and associated with side effects. Therefore, there is a need to search for alternative natural remedies that have low toxicity, a new mechanism of action, and no major side effects. Phyllanthus plants have traditionally been used to treat viral hepatitis and liver damage in many tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic potential of Phyllanthus spp. against HBV, HCV, HIV, herpes simplex virus, and SARS-CoV-2. The inferences from in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials validate the use of Phyllanthus in antiviral remedies.

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Abbreviations

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

HBsAg:

Hepatitis B surface antigen

HBeAg:

Hepatitis B virus antigen

WHBV:

Woodchuck hepatitis B virus

DHBV:

Duck hepatitis B virus

DHBsAg:

Duck hepatitis B virus surface antigen

BVDV:

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

HTLV-I:

Human T lymphotropic virus type I

HSV:

Herpes simplex virus

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Acknowledgements

The author Richa Upadhyay is thankful to Principal Dr. Rajendra Singh, Mihir Bhoj PG College, Dadri, U.P., India, for his support and encouragement for research.

Funding

The author Kavindra Nath Tiwari is thankful to the Institute of Eminence (IoE), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, for financial support (Scheme No. 6031).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Mihir Bhoj PG College, Dadri, G.B. Nagar, 203207, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Richa Upadhyay

  2. Department of Botany, MMV, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Kavindra Nath Tiwari

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Author Richa Upadhyay wrote the manuscript. Prof. KN Tiwari edited the manuscript and gave the idea to draft the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kavindra Nath Tiwari.

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Upadhyay, R., Tiwari, K.N. The antiviral potential of Phyllanthus species: a systematic review. Arch Virol 168, 177 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-023-05802-w

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