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Ravanshad A, Kumar Mandal S. Medicinal Plants Effective Against Monkeypox: A Concise Review Focusing on Mechanisms of Action. pbp 2026; 8 (Early )
URL: http://pbp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-316-en.html
1- Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad Branch, Khorramabad, Iran
2- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dr. B. C. Roy College of Pharmacy and AHS, W.B., India , gotosudip@rediffmail.com
Abstract:   (332 Views)
Objective: Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that has garnered significant global attention in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. Given the absence of a definitive cure, medicinal plants have emerged as promising complementary options for symptom management and immune system enhancement. This review examines the antiviral potential of various medicinal plants against monkeypox by identifying their bioactive compounds and elucidating their mechanisms of action.
Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using reputable databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar with relevant keywords. Several plants exhibiting direct effects on monkeypox were identified, and their active constituents and mechanisms were critically analyzed.
Results: These plants include Allium sativum L. (garlic), Adansonia digitata L. (baobab), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem), Boscia senegalensis, Carica papaya L. (papaya), Cissus populnea, Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin), Ficus platyphylla, Lawsonia inermis L. (henna), Maytenus senegalensis, Moringa oleifera (moringa), Olea europaea L. (olive), Sterculia setigera, Acacia nilotica (acacia), Anogeissus leiocarpus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Calotropis procera (milkweed), Cassia singueana, Citrullus lanatus (watermelon), and Diospyros mespiliformis. Findings suggest that these medicinal plants may serve as effective adjuncts in managing monkeypox symptoms and bolstering immune responses.
Conclusion: Notably, their bioactive compounds potentially inhibit viral entry into host cells and impair viral replication, thereby reducing viral load and promoting overall health. This review highlights the critical role of medicinal plants in the development of complementary therapies against viral infections.
     
Type of Study: Review/Systemtic review | Subject: Phytochemistry
Received: 2025/01/17 | Accepted: 2025/06/22 | Published: 2025/12/1

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