Invited Lecture 3: Plant extract polyphenols and viral infections

Abstract

Brief Biosketch Professor Klarskov Klaus did his Post-doctorate (Senior Research Fellow) in 2001 and Post-doctorate (Research Fellow) in 1997, State University of Ghent (Gent) and Doctorate (Doctor of Philosophiae) in 1991, Odense University. Dr Klarskov is interested in oxidative-stress induced post-translational protein modifications and their consequences in pathologies like adverse-drug reactions, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The professor is having about 65 peer-reviewed publications in his credit and many presentations in various conferences. Viral infections are continuously challenging humanity. Influenza is a common yearly threat to people with the deficient immune system. Recently, a new strain of coronavirus (covid-19) causing similar symptoms to influenza albeit with frequent severe respiratory illnesses, was first reported in Wuhan (China). This virus has spread to most of the world's populations. Although extensive measures have been established in many countries to control the spread of the virus, continuous outbreaks still occur. From an early time, plant extracts have been known for their beneficial effects to treat common viral infections. Polyphenols represent a large group of chemical compounds (antioxidants) present in plant extracts. In this presentation, scientific examples that demonstrate the potential beneficial effects of polyphenols to inhibit viral (influenza and corona) proliferation in vitro will be discussed.

Keywords

• covid-19
• polyphenols
• antioxidants
• plant extract