Journal of Applied Pharmacy
Open Access

Identification and Development Strategies for Antiviral Drugs

Clement Martin^{* *}Correspondence: Clement Martin, Department of Pharmacology, University of Tsinghua, Beijing, China, Email:

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Description

Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that have been a constant threat to human health throughout history. From the common cold to more severe diseases like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), influenza, and COVID-19, viruses. Antiviral drugs are designed to interfere with one or more of these stages to prevent viral replication, ultimately reducing the severity and duration of the infection. The antiviral drugs is a treatment to human creativity and the progress of medical science. It is marked by significant landmarks and discoveries, which have been instrumental in the fight against viral infections. The antiviral agents such as interferon, substances produced by the immune system that inhibit viral replication. Although not used as drugs themselves, interferon formed the way for the development of antiviral therapies. The antiviral drug acyclovir was developed to treat herpes simplex virus infections.It marked the beginning of a new era in antiviral medication development. Acyclovir and its derivatives remain essential in the management of herpes viruses. The discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the rapid development of antiretroviral drugs fight to the virus. These drugs, often used in combination, have transformed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition. The late development of antiviral drugs like oseltamivir and zanamivir, which are used to treat and prevent influenza infections. They are particularly important during flu outbreaks and pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late, caused a global effort to develop antiviral treatments for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) virus. Several drugs, including remdesivir and molnupiravir, were authorized for emergency use to help the pandemic. Antiviral drugs come in various forms, including pills, capsules, injections, and topical creams, depending on the virus they target and the stage of the viral life cycle they disrupt. Many antiviral drugs interfere with the replication of a virus's genetic material. They may block the synthesis of viral Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), preventing the virus from creating copies of itself within the host cell. Some antiviral drugs inhibit the attachment and entry of viruses into host cells. By preventing the virus from binding to cellular receptors, these drugs effectively block the initial step of infection. Viruses depend on host cell machinery to produce proteins necessary for their replication. Antiviral drugs can target these processes, disrupting and assembly virus's ability to make essential proteins. Certain antiviral drugs can enhance the host's immune response, stimulating the production of interferons or other immune factors that helps to fight the infection. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors NRTIs are used to treat retroviruses like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). They inhibit reverse transcriptase, an enzyme crucial for the replication of retroviral Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) into Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). Protease inhibitors are used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. They block the action of protease, an enzyme necessary for the cleavage of viral proteins.

Important of antiviral drugs

• Antiviral drugs help alleviate the symptoms of viral infections, such as fever, fatigue, and respiratory distress. This not only improves the patient's comfort but also aids recovery.

• By inhibiting viral replication, antiviral drugs can shorten the duration of illness. This is particularly important in cases of influenza and herpes infections, where early treatment can significantly impact the course of the disease.

• Antiviral drugs can help prevent severe complications associated with viral infections. For example, antiretroviral therapy for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can delay the progression to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and associated opportunistic infections.

• Treating viral infections with antiviral drugs can decrease the viral load in the body, reducing the potential of transmission to others.

Conclusion

These drugs, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, target influenza viruses. They inhibit the neuraminidase enzyme, preventing the release of newly formed virus particles from infected cells. These drugs, including remdesivir, target various RNA viruses by inhibiting the polymerase enzyme responsible for replicating the viral genome. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is often treated with combinations of drugs from different classes to prevent the development of drug resistance.