Medicinal plants against dengue fever: Therapeutic insights into the plant extracts and their active compounds.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Dengue virus (DENV), the causative agent of dengue fever, poses a major global health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. Traditional medicinal systems have long employed plant-based remedies for febrile illnesses, including dengue. This review aims to summarize medicinal plants and their phytoconstituents with reported anti-DENV activity. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted on medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds exhibiting anti-DENV potential, reviewing 96 papers found on online databases and servers like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Reported mechanisms of action were evaluated, including inhibition of viral entry and replication, and modulation of host immune responses and biological pathways. RESULTS: Multiple plant-derived compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, were identified as promising antiviral agents. This review segregates the currently available and known medicinal plants region-wise with a main focus on Indian medicinal plants. Advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics have facilitated the discovery and characterization of these compounds, highlighting their potential as safe and cost-effective therapeutic candidates. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: Despite existing vaccines and supportive treatments, effective antiviral therapies for dengue remain limited. Plant-based compounds present viable alternatives; however, further pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical studies are required to confirm their safety and efficacy for therapeutic use.