Recent update on anti-dengue drug discovery
- Eur J Med Chem. 2019 Aug 15:176:431-455. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.010.
- 1. Innovative Medicines Group, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 2. Innovative Medicines Group, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- 3. Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.
- 4. Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University (IMU), Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease of humans, with more than half of the global population living in at-risk areas. Despite the negative impact on public health, there are no Antiviral therapies available, and the only licensed vaccine, Dengvaxia®, has been contraindicated in children below nine years of age. In an effort to combat dengue, several small molecules have entered into human clinical trials. Here, we review anti-DENV molecules and their drug targets that have been published within the past five years (2014-2018). Further, we discuss their probable mechanisms of action and describe a role for classes of clinically approved drugs and also an unclassified class of anti-DENV agents. This review aims to enhance our understanding of novel agents and their cognate targets in furthering innovations in the use of small molecules for dengue drug therapies.