First Name:
Brian
Last Name:
Bonville
Major Department:
Biology
Thesis Director:
Howard Neufeld
Date of Thesis:
May 2013
The development of antiviral drugs is invaluable to the progress and security of humanity. For this reason the value of plant chemicals as antiviral medicines should be considered to a larger extent in order to assist in the search for future medicines. This article strives to provide support for the potential that plants have in providing chemicals that can act as antiviral agents. To reinforce the idea of plants as a source of these medicines this article reviews the history of antiviral medicines, the types of known antivirals and important plant chemicals with similar antiviral activity, and the techniques used in developing or discovering antiviral chemicals in relation to plant chemicals. By taking note of these three topics it is hoped that the great value that plants hold as potential sources of antivirals is evident and this will encourage further and more in-depth research into this promising prospect.