Can Iranian Medicinal Plants Apply to Prevent and Treatment of Viral Diseases?
Subject Areas : Research On Crop Ecophysiology
Keywords: Medicinal Plants, natural products, Keywords: Traditional Iranian Medicine, Viral Infection,
Abstract :
Can Iranian Medicinal Plants Apply to Prevent and Treatment of Viral Diseases? Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian1, Wenli Sun1, and Qi Cheng1,2* 1-Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China 2-College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Global Alliance of HeBAU-CLS&HeQiS for BioAl-Manufacturing, Baoding, Hebei 071000, China *Corresponding author E-mail: chengqi@caas.cn; hesamshahrajabian@gmail.com; Received: 25 September 2018 Accepted: 10 January 2019 Abstract Medicinal herbs and plants which have entered the fight against viral diseases because they constitute low-cost and efficient host for biopharmaceutical production. Traditional medicinal plants could likely improve therapeutic outcomes and quality of life, and it is an effective adjuvant in the systemic treatment of viral diseases. Viral infections are spreading rapidly, and emergence of drug resistance due to some mutations of viruses and dormant and recurrent infections may lead to new antiviral combination. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Myrtle (Myrtus communis), Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus), Common fig (Ficus carica L.), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Field elm (Ulmus minor Mill.), Persian yellow rose (Rosa foetida), Horse mint (Mentha longifolia), Acanthophyllum sordidum, Euphorbia bungei, Leptadenia (Leptadenia pyrotechnica), Linum album, Euphorbia helioscopia, Dog rose (Rosa canina L.), Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium), Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Wild rue (Peganum harmala L.), Borage (Echium amoenum), Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), Rosmary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Thymus (Thymus vulgaris L.), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Marjoram (Oriaganum majorana), Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Garlic (Allium sativum), Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) are native to the Middle East, West and Central of Asia and Iran with anti viral characteristics for future studies. These traditional herbs and plants which have both antiviral activity and ability to promote immunity, would have possible inhibition ability in the initiation and promotion of virus-associated diseases. These important medicinal plants should consider more as a great potential source of novel chemical constituents with anti-viral impacts. Keywords: Traditional Iranian Medicine, Viral Infection, Medicinal Plants, Natural Products.