The antiviral properties of flavonoids

Enteroviruses belong to the Picornaviridae family, which is a type of non-enveloped RNA virus. They encompass numerous members and exhibit high rates of mutation and recombination, leading to the emergence of new pathogenic viral strains. In addition to their primary route of infection through the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tracts, enteroviruses can also infect other tissues such as neurons or muscles, resulting in severe clinical manifestations within the nervous system. Flavonoids, natural compounds found in plants, have shown significant potential as antiviral agents, particularly against enteroviruses, a group of pathogens responsible for various human diseases. This review aims to summarize the recent progress of flavonoids in anti-enterovirus research, reveal their potential mechanisms, and explore their application prospects. A literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed and Scopus, from 2004 to 2024 using the keywords "Flavonoid" and "Enterovirus". Relevant studies and reviews were identified and subsequently selected for analysis and discussion. A large body of research indicate that flavonoids exhibited antiviral activity against enteroviruses through multiple mechanisms, including blocking viral entry, inhibiting viral replication, and suppressing viral protease activity. Prominent flavonoids such as quercetin, baicalein, and luteolin exhibit significant antiviral potential in vivo, in vitro , and in silico experiments, underscoring their promising prospects for drug development. However, despite preliminary in vivo experimental data supporting their efficacy, a dearth of systematic clinical studies exists to further validate the safety and efficacy of these compounds in humans. Flavonoid-based drugs show promising antiviral activity against enteroviruses, but further research is needed to improve their therapeutic potential for future clinical applications.