Herpesviruses are one of the most contagious DNA viruses that threaten human health, causing severe diseases, including, but not limited to, certain types of cancer and neurological complications. The overuse and misuse of anti-herpesvirus drugs are key factors leading to drug resistance. Therefore, targeting human herpesviruses with natural products is an attractive form of therapy, as it might improve treatment efficacy in therapy-resistant herpesviruses. Plant polyphenols are major players in the health arena as they possess diverse bioactivities. Hence, in this article, we comprehensively summarize the recent advances that have been attained in employing plant non-flavonoid polyphenols, such as phenolic acids, tannins and their derivatives, stilbenes and their derivatives, lignans, neolignans, xanthones, anthraquinones and their derivatives, curcuminoids, coumarins, furanocoumarins, and other polyphenols (phloroglucinol) as promising anti-herpesvirus drugs against various types of herpesvirus such as alpha-herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus), beta-herpesviruses (human cytomegalovirus), and gamma-herpesviruses (Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). The molecular mechanisms of non-flavonoid polyphenols against the reviewed herpesviruses are also documented.

• Keywords
• Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), HSV-1, HSV-2, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), antiviral activity, herpes simplex virus, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), natural products, non-flavonoid polyphenols, polyphenols, varicella-zoster virus (VZV),
• MeSH
• Antiviral Agents pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Herpesviridae Infections * drug therapy   MeSH
• Epstein-Barr Virus Infections * drug therapy   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Polyphenols pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Herpesvirus 4, Human MeSH
• Herpesvirus 3, Human MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antiviral Agents MeSH
• Polyphenols MeSH

Human herpesviruses are known to induce a broad spectrum of diseases, ranging from common cold sores to cancer, and infections with some types of these viruses, known as human oncogenic herpesviruses (HOHVs), can cause cancer. Challenges with viral latency, recurrent infections, and drug resistance have generated the need for finding new drugs with the ability to overcome these barriers. Berberine (BBR), a naturally occurring alkaloid, is known for its multiple biological activities, including antiviral and anticancer effects. This paper comprehensively compiles all studies that have featured anti-HOHV properties of BBR along with promising preventive effects against the associated cancers. The mechanisms and pathways induced by BBR via targeting the herpesvirus life cycle and the pathogenesis of the linked malignancies are reviewed. Approaches to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of BBR and its use in clinical practice as an anti-herpesvirus drug are also discussed.

• Keywords
• Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, berberine, cancer, herpes simplex virus, human cytomegalovirus, inflammation, oncogenic herpesviruses,
• MeSH
• Antiviral Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Berberine therapeutic use   MeSH
• Herpesviridae classification   drug effects   pathogenicity   MeSH
• Herpesviridae Infections complications   drug therapy   MeSH
• Carcinogenesis drug effects   MeSH
• Clinical Trials as Topic MeSH
• Virus Latency drug effects   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Neoplasms drug therapy   virology   MeSH
• Virus Replication drug effects   MeSH
• Inflammation drug therapy   virology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antiviral Agents MeSH
• Berberine MeSH