Identification of traditional medicinal plant extracts with novel anti-influenza activity

The emergence of drug-resistant influenza viral strains has put forth an urgent need to develop novel antiviral agents. This study led to the identification of medicinal plant extracts from the tropical rain forests of Borneo that prevent virus binding and penetration, a novel pathway in viral inhibition, unlike the currently available anti-influenza drugs. Furthermore, these extracts demonstrated intensive inhibitory activity against the drug-resistant variants of influenza virus. Hence, this research work supports the utilization of medicinal plants as potential sources of anti-influenza compounds that leads to the development of third generation anti-influenza drugs.