Recent advances in antiviral drugs for Chikungunya virus: targets, mechanisms, and development strategies

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has frequently caused outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, posing a significant public health threat. CHIKV infection leads to chikungunya fever, characterized by fever, rash, and persistent joint pain, with approximately 30%–40% of patients developing chronic arthritis that severely impacts quality of life. Currently, no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines against CHIKV have been approved for clinical use, highlighting the urgency of drug development. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in antiviral research on CHIKV, focusing on key target proteins in the viral life cycle, such as non-structural proteins nsP1, nsP2, nsP3, nsP4, and structural protein E1–E2 complexes, as well as the mechanisms of action of their inhibitors. We analyze the current research status of various anti-CHIKV compounds, including suramin, baicalin, halofuginone, betulinic acid, andrographolide, and itraconazole. Additionally, we summarize host-directed antiviral strategies targeting pathways such as host cell oxidative folding, Na + /K + -ATPase, and MAPK signaling. This review aims to establish a theoretical foundation and outline potential research directions for the development of CHIKV-related therapeutics, thereby facilitating the discovery of effective treatment strategies against this pathogen. Chikungunya virus is an alphavirus transmitted by mosquitoes. Current drug research mainly encompasses two strategies: (1) targeting viral structural and non-structural proteins; (2) targeting host factors.