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.
