Therapeutic Interventions Against Free Radicals in Viral Diseases

The delicate balance between oxidants and antioxidants is a dynamic process, and when it hampers, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress is now suggested to have a direct correlation with a viral infection, which in turn induces several oxidants like nitric oxide radicals, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals and their by-products (viz. hydrogen peroxide). All of these oxidants and their by-products contribute to viral pathogenesis and ultimately cause infectious diseases. The consequences of viral diseases account for considerable economic loss worldwide. In response to this, the scientific fraternity throughout the world is investigating the basic mechanisms underlying such diseases, as well as identifying novel therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of such maladies. Over the last few decades, scientists oriented their research aims mostly towards elucidating the immunological basis of viral replication and pathogenesis, but a little is written about the implications of such research for drug development, which provides the impetus behind the creation of the present chapter enabling the readers to have a comprehensive overview on the involvement of free radicals in viral diseases along with latest updates towards developing novel therapeutic strategies against these diseases. The present chapter summarizes the relationship between oxidative stress, viral infection, and a variety of therapeutic strategies conferred by antioxidants. Antiviral therapeutic strategies based on antioxidants are considered to be a promising area of research against viral infections. 

Keywords: Antioxidants, Antiviral therapeutics, Dengue, Free radicals, Hepatitis C Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Immunomodulation, Inflammation, Influenza, Japanese encephalitis, Proinflammatory cytokines, Reactive oxygen species, Reactive nitrogen species, SARS-CoV-2, Viral pathogenesis.