Revisiting the antiviral efficacy of terpenoids: Plausible adjunct therapeutics for novel SARS-CoV-2?

Ahmad, Afza; Tiwari, Rohit Kumar; Ansari, Irfan Ahmad

Presently the world is witnessing most devastating pandemic in the history of mankind caused due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS-CoV-2. This dreaded pandemic is responsible for escalated mortality rate across the globe and thus is the worst catastrophes in the history of mankind. Since its outbreak, substantial scientific explorations focusing on formulation of novel therapeutical and/or adjunct intervention against the disease are continuously in pipeline. However, till date no effective therapy has been approved and hence the present alarming situation urges the necessity of exploring novel, safe and efficient interventional strategies. Functionally, terpenoids are a class of secondary plant metabolites having multi facet chemical structures and are categorically documented to be the largest reservoir of bioactive constituents, predominant in nature. Intriguingly, very little is scientifically explored or reviewed in regards with the anti-CoV-2 attributes of terpenoids. The present article thus aims to revisit the antiviral efficacy of terpenoids by reviewing the current scientific literature and thereby provide an opinion on the plausibility of exploring them as potential therapeutical intervention to deal with ongoing CoV-2 pandemic.