Natural products as Zika antivirals

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus belonging to the flavivirus genus and is transmitted in Aedes mosquito vectors. Since its discovery in humans in 1952 in Uganda, ZIKV has been responsible for many outbreaks in South America, Africa, and Asia. Patients infected with ZIKV are usually asymptomatic; mild symptoms include fever, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue. However, severe infections may have neurological implications, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and fetal microcephaly. To date, there are no existing approved therapeutic drugs or vaccines against ZIKV infections; treatments mainly target the symptoms of infection. Preventive measures against mosquito breeding are the main strategy for limiting the spread of the virus. Antiviral drug research for the treatment of ZIKV infection has been rapidly developing, with many drug candidates emerging from drug repurposing studies, and compound screening. In particular, several studies have demonstrated the potential of natural products as antivirals for ZIKV infection. Hence, this paper will review recent advances in natural products in ZIKV antiviral drug discovery.