Herbal cocktail as anti-infective: promising therapeutic for the treatment of viral diseases.
Herbal products have gained considerable interest among the pharmaceutical companies and consumers due to the minimal side effects associated with them. The bioflavanoids present in these products are the key players in modulating their effects. Several therapeutic effects have been attributed to the bioflavanoids present in green tea and turmeric. Antimicrobial activity is one among the spectrum of activities they exhibit. Curcumin and catechins, the principle components of turmeric and green tea respectively have virucidal and virustatic actions. An antimicrobial composition consisting of extracts from green tea and turmeric have shown to be highly potent against various microbes, especially viruses. In the present review, we have discussed the patents and the antiviral effects of curcumin and catechins. The antimalarial effect of curcumin has also been discussed.
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Biosafety Laboratories, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Sandhya A
SA
Marathe
Akshay A
AA
Datey
Dipshikha
D
Chakravortty
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013662:Tea