Therapeutic potential of natural plant substances for the control of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Abstract

Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is one of the foremost avian pathologies and is caused by a coronavirus with worldwide distribution. In addition to its infectivity, the appearance of new variants and strains makes this pathology particularly difficult to control, which represents a threat to the poultry sector. Natural substances have long been used as therapeutic sources and boosters for vaccines since vaccines alone do not provide complete protection due to continuous mutations of the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). To explore other remedies to fight IBV, several researchers have turned to using medicinal plants and extracting active ingredients with antiviral properties. The quest for alternative therapies is particularly relevant given the Sars-CoV-2 outbreak, a human coronavirus that shares similarities with IBV, such as its mutation rates and health complications. This article is a systematic review of natural products used against IBV. Thirteen natural products, including plants, essential oils, and mixtures, were identified in this study, and all showed antiviral activity against IBV, with variable effectiveness. Although the efficacy of these active substances has been established and demonstrated by scientific methods, further and more in-depth studies should be carried out to confirm the results, determine the mechanisms of action, and validate their use as a treatment or adjuvant.

Keywords: Coronavirus, IBV, plants, antiviral, poultry