Mosquito-borne diseases cause illness in approximately 700 million people per year globally (Genoud et al., 2018). Dengue is one of the mosquito-borne emerging viral disease endemics prominent in many urban areas of tropical countries. A considerable rise in the dengue infection incidences is noticed all over the world in recent decades. Due to its asymptomatic to mild infectious nature, actual numbers of dengue cases remain unregistered or wrongly diagnosed as other fever infections (Waggoner et al., 2016). According to the World Health Organization report, about 390 million cases of dengue virus (DENV) infections occur annually, of which nearly 96 million find medical treatment and about 20,000 individuals (mostly children and aged individuals) fail to survive the dengue infection (Bhatt et al., 2013; Saxena et al., 2017; World Health Organization 2021a). Remarkably, among 129 countries having a risk of dengue infection, Asia has almost 70% of the total infection load (Brady et al., 2012; Bhatt et al., 2013). Dengue, an arthropod-carried viral infection, is transmitted into humans by female Aedes mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti or, to a lesser extent, by Ae. albopictus and Ae. polynesiensis) (Cao-Lormeau 2009). Common symptoms in dengue infection are mild dengue fever to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (i.e., DF and DHF), rashes, headache, vomiting, severe headache, low white blood cell count, joint and muscle pain, swollen glands, nausea, pain behind the eyes, and fever with dengue shock syndrome (DSS) (Murphy and Whitehead 2011; World Health Organization 2021a).

The natural reserve has offered various resources to mankind to combat various infectious diseases. Plants are the most frequently utilized natural sources among the local biodiversity and are linked to folk’s day-to-day needs (Robinson and Zhang 2011). Additionally, plant-based medicaments are in considerable demand because of their safer use and non-toxic nature, and because they are less harmful in comparison to synthetic treatments (Abd Kadir et al., 2013). Multiple uses, such as consumption as food, ethnomedicinal applications, cultural aspects, and sacred faith, are associated with their utilization (Svanberg and Berggren 2019; Fongnzossie et al., 2020). Traditional knowledge of plants that was commonly practiced among tribal or ethnic populations for their healthcare has now gained considerable attention from the modern populace. Nowadays, people in developing (60%–90%) as well as developed countries (23%–80%) are using ethno-medicines as the primary healthcare regimen (Borah and Prasad 2017; Sharma and Pareek 2021). Plant biodiversity used as medicaments is of utmost importance throughout human history, which has led to the accumulation of significant information in the form of scientific research and its validation (Pasa 2011). These conventional plant-based healthcare remedies led the Ayurvedic, Unani, Chinese, and Egyptian medical systems to classify various medicinal herbs (based on color, aroma, shape, flavor, and astronomic and magical attributes) (Larocca et al., 2021). Traditional use and ethnobotanical knowledge about many plant species in treating various ailments along their chemical validation through scientific research can be promising aspects in the development of contemporary medication to treat arboviral infections like dengue. Also, a plant-based antiviral product assures a more possible choice in combating dengue infection, which may be replacement of inadequate drugs with side effects (Bahuguna et al., 2019). WHO in the 1970s has effectively executed the spread of traditional knowledge via implementing Traditional Medicine Program, and consequently, following such initiative (taking into consideration the traditional knowledge and scientific research), the associated nations have been redeveloping and improving their public health systems (Larocca et al., 2021). Development of an efficient and safer anti-dengue vaccine is a challenging task, and because of its secondary infection (second time DENV serotype infection), it is linked to the serious clinical manifestations (Toman 2018; Redoni et al., 2020). Based on recent research, various plants and their derivatives have shown anti-dengue properties; among those, flavonoids are the most popular candidates, having the ability to supplement encouraging scope in the existing struggle of drug discovery (Carneiro et al., 2016). Some of the important flavonoids recently reported are discussed with various activities, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiviral, and antibacterial effects (Raekiansyah et al., 2018; Deng et al., 2020b; Daneshzadeh et al., 2020; Macedo et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020). In the present review, a brief idea of the role of these phytoconstituents has been described against dengue infections (Jayadevappa et al., 2020). In addition, the mechanism of action with future possibilities as contemporary medicaments of plant metabolites that endorses traditional knowledge is also included.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection, found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas, transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, known as the primary and secondary dengue vectors. A range of diseases has been transmitted via Ae. aegypti including yellow fever, chikungunya, zika, and, most importantly, DENV (Silva et al., 2020). DENV was first reported in the 1950s, during dengue epidemics in Thailand and Philippines. Since then, the spread of dengue has extensively widened from South Asian countries to African and South American countries. Over several decades, different countries of continental America conducted a program that aimed to eradicate Ae. aegypti. The program was proposed and commenced via the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 1946 (Pinheiro and Rodrigues 1999). Venezuela, a country on the northern coast of South America, reported dengue fever outbreaks during the 1960s, when almost all South American countries had eradicated Ae. aegypti (Pinheiro and Corber 1997). Furthermore, during the 1970s, DENV-2 and DENV-3 were the main causative serotypes for dengue fever epidemics in Colombia, a country that had attained eradication of the vector during the PAHO program (Pinheiro 1997). In the 1980s, enhanced rate of dengue cases escorted the spreading of Ae. aegypti vector, and during this period, another efficient vector, the Asian mosquito, Ae. albopictus, was introduced in the region (Gubler 1989). In the last 5 decades, the American continent has been massively affected by dengue and an approximately 30-fold rise in disease level was recorded, where almost 390 million cases of dengue with 96 million medical manifestations were reported annually (Bhatt et al., 2013). In 2013, America has declared approximately 2.3 million new severe dengue cases, which was an alarming situation in viral infections (Salles et al., 2018).

Ae. albopictus was mostly found in Asia and further expanded over different countries of European and North American regions, having highly adaptive properties to survive extreme environments and therefore able to survive in cooler regions as well. The probability of an upsurge of arthropod-borne viruses is based on the abundance of vectors involved in transmission as well as the susceptibility of immune-deficient people. Hence, there is a necessity to develop an efficient way to control its population and the spread of the disease. Besides, several other causes such as increased urbanization, ecological changes, migration of people, exchange of goods, and biological contests (e.g., development of resistance for virus) stimulate the spread of disease to new regions (Chaudhry 2019).

The genomic structure of DENV, approximately 10.7 kb in size, consists of ssRNA with +ve polarity (Chambers et al., 1990). Besides, the translation of viral genome was completed by three different structural proteins, i.e., Envelop (E), Capsid (C), and Pre-membrane (PrM), and seven non-structural (NS) proteins, NS1, NS2a, NS2b, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, and NS5. These proteins contribute to viral replication (Bartenschlager and Miller 2008; Xie et al., 2017). The infective form of dengue virion possesses a core of glycoprotein and ssRNA genome enclosed by icosahedral nucleocapsid (Akhtar 2019). Firstly, infected mosquito feed on host and DENV gets transmitted via injecting its saliva into the host. In the meantime, when half-length proboscis is inside the dermis, the vector releases DENV plaque-forming units (nearly 50,000) and causes infection in contiguous skin cells, i.e., Langerhans and keratinocytes (Marcial-Juárez et al., 2017; Schneider et al., 2021). Dendritic cells enter lymphatics after capturing DENV virions or antigens and transport them to local draining lymph nodes. DENV is also suggested to reach draining lymph nodes via the lymphatic flow in a cell-free manner (Yam-Puc et al., 2016). The E protein of DENV assists the binding between DENV and the cell membrane receptor. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is the principal way via which the virus is able to enter the host; a resultant sac-like structure is formed known as an endosome, depending on pH. Virus acutely penetrates and fuse with the membrane of the endosome due to the various irretrievable morphological reorganization as the endocytic vesicles become more acidic, followed by nucleocapsid opening and genetic material (RNA) release into the cytoplasm. RNA succeeds in translating into ribosomes allied to the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) by using the infected cell’s machinery; subsequently, the viral polyprotein is cleaved by cellular and viral proteases (Uno and Ross 2018). The newly synthesized RNA is wrapped in the capsid proteins (nucleocapsid), enters the host rER, and ultimately encloses the ER membrane. Further structure proteins (M and E) surround the ER-enveloped nucleocapsid forming immature virus. Subsequent processing in the Golgi apparatus results in the formation of the infectious form of the virus (Aruna 2014). Afterwards, it reaches the lymph node and further disseminates to other body organs. The virus incubation period may vary from 3 to 14 days based on the literature available (Chan and Johansson 2012). A general overview of the DENV infection cycle in humans is shown in Figure 1. After completion of the virus incubation period, the mosquito is capable of spreading the virus in the course of its life. Ae. aegypti feeds mostly on human blood and is a daytime feeder, efficiently causing infection in the early morning, and by evening, it infects multiple people during each suckling period (Weissenböck et al., 2010). The infecting efficiency of DENV for different cells including liver, blood vessels (endothelium), immune system, and retinal cells has been reported in the past (Carr et al., 2017; Begum et al., 2019).

Aedes spp. mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus) are the main source of dengue transmission. Recently, infection dispersed in almost all parts of tropical and subtropical regions and adapted to urban environments, mainly Ae. aegypti (Lambrechts et al., 2010). Among two different species, Ae. aegypti has been reported to have superior efficiency as a transmission vector; meanwhile, in urban environments, DENV is capable to endure its life cycle between humans and transmitter organisms (Lambrechts et al., 2010; Weissenböck et al., 2010). Human blood is the primary feeding source of Ae. aegypti, while Ae. albopictus (sylvatic strain) feeds on avian species as well as a variety of mammals (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control 2018). Sylvatic strains are not that risky compared to “standard” dengue infection (Diallo et al., 2003; Vasilakis et al., 2008). In the initial stage of transmission, uninfected mosquitoes attack (susceptible to dengue) while feeding on host blood. In this process, viral particles are transferred into the mosquito midgut and start replicating and thus infecting the body cavity (hemocoel). From the hemocoel, the virus eventually makes its way to the salivary glands. Next, after completing the incubation period (approximately 2 weeks), the infected mosquito can disseminate the virus via salivary glands (Coudeville et al., 2009; Guzman et al., 2016).

Dengue has emerged as one of the most important mosquito-borne, flaviviruses diseases, deceptively intensifying as a global health issue (Zeng et al., 2021). Dengue has been designated as the topmost worldwide health risk by WHO (Kumar et al., 2017; Biswal et al., 2019). A comparison of prior approximations of entire global dengue contagions has been illustrated. Average incidences in India with maximum infected states (Karnataka, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra) are shown (Alagarasu et al., 2021) (Figure 2). Moreover, dengue infection frequency of different Asian countries and their percentage contribution have been determined where India was found to comprise 9% of total dengue incidences, higher than Pakistan, Singapore, China, Thailand, Nepal, and Cambodia, while Vietnam and Philippines are the leading countries and recorded the highest number of dengue cases in 2021 (till May) (Figure 3A) (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control 2018; World Health Organization 2021b). Also, dengue infection status recorded in the past 7 years in India can be seen where the average infection was recorded to be the maximum in 2017 (Figure 3B) (NVBDCP, 2021).

Plants have been the main remedial source to cure a variety of ailments since ancient times. Ancestral folks empirically isolate medicinal plants for medical home remedies and pass this knowledge from generation to generation till the present day. Ethnobotany has confirmed the necessity for conserving such information in societies that utilize plants in the treatment of different types of diseases (Gu et al., 2014; Mussin and Giusiano 2020). However, it is critical to note that these practices of exploiting plant medicaments, without scientific understanding, have led to placing various plants in the IUCN Red List consisting of threatened species (Trujillo-Correa et al., 2019). The dengue treatment period is suggested to be 10–15 days, which may vary according to the infection level of severity, the regimen carried out during treatment, the conditions, and the response of the organism (Yogarajalakshmi et al., 2020). Different plant-based formulations are reported to be used in various affected parts of India against dengue and have also been approved through scientific research, although limited studies in this reference have been recorded in India (Deep et al., 2018). There are many plant species such as Curcuma longa L., Lonicera japonica Thunb., Acorus calamus L., Carica papaya L., Euphorbia hirta L., Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr., and Sambucus canadensis L. used globally as ethnomedicine against dengue fever (Ichsyani et al., 2017; Lee et al., 2017; Deep et al., 2018; Yao et al., 2018; Larocca et al., 2021) (Table 2). In another report, plants from a diverse group of plant families (31 in total with 54 species) are reported to exhibit anti-dengue activity based on traditional knowledge, where major representatives reported were Lamiaceae (10.5%), Asteraceae (9.9%), Aristolochiaceae, and Loganiaceae (each 7.2%) families (Saleh and Kamisah 2021). Plants revealed by the local population to exhibit anti-dengue activity included Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC., Aristolochia surinamensis Willd., Momordica charantia L., Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants, Ocimum gratissimum L., Strychnos pseudoquina A. St.-Hil., and Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) Vahl (Pongthanapisith et al., 2013; Sharma et al., 2020; Larocca et al., 2021). Although many of these plant species do not have any scientific evidence as suggested in the available literature, their ethnomedicinal potential may lead to the real success in treating arboviral diseases like dengue (Pilla et al., 2006; Mendoza et al., 2020). However, limited literature presenting scientific validation of these plants showing anti-dengue activity is available. Traditional use of C. papaya leaf juice has revealed very promising outcomes in treating dengue disease (Prakash Kala, 2012; Sarala and Paknikar 2014), which is further authorized through scientific evidence demonstrating lower cytotoxic and efficient anti-DENV effects (Saptawati et al., 2017; Sharma et al., 2019; Sarker et al., 2021). Similarly, the use of Psidium guajava L. as folkloric medication has also been cited in literature, which enhances thrombocyte count in dengue infection (Berlian et al., 2017). Traditional medicinal values being the foundation for advanced scientific research lead to the revelations of possible mechanisms behind the anti-dengue activities that suggest a promising role of phytoconstituent-associated antiviral activities via inhibition of viral cell adhesion, replication, etc. (Saptawati et al., 2017; Dewi et al., 2020). Other traditionally used plants such as Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Tulsi), Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Giloy leaves and stems), Trigonella gladiata M. Bieb. (fenugreek leaves), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem leaves), Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Lemon grass), and Psiloxylon mauritianum (Bouton ex Hook. f) Baill. with potential ethnopharmacological uses in treating dengue still need clarification about their action mechanism technically (Parida et al., 2002; Abd Kadir et al., 2013; Ling et al., 2014; Singh et al., 2016; Deep et al., 2018; Arunabha 2019; Clain et al., 2019; Rosmalena et al., 2019; Paul et al., 2021). There are very few reports validating the antiviral activities of A. indica. According to these reports, aqueous A indica leaf extracts and Gedunin and Pongamol (neem constituents) are capable of repressing DENV-2 serotype by targeting viral replication (Parida et al., 2002) and targeting human as well as viral proteins (responsible for viral attachment) (Rao and Yeturu 2020). Quercus lusitanica Lam. and Gastrodia elata Blume have also been approved to have an antiviral response against DENV-2 replication and DENV multiplication cycle, respectively (Rahman et al., 2006; McDowell et al., 2010; Ahmad et al., 2011). Also, the polyphenol-rich extract of Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn. has recently been reported against ZIKV and DENV infections, which prohibits viral entry (Clain et al., 2018).

Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, epidemiologically related arboviruses in the community health context, including Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Different types of synthetic insecticides are easily accessible in the market, associated with numerous side effects such as the development of resistance to these insecticides, having toxic effects on other organs, and ecological health problems (Rodrigues et al., 2020). However, biological control as an alternative for these vectors could be very helpful due to its eco-friendly and cost-effective nature. Govindarajan et al. (2015) reported that methanol extracts of Delonix elata (L.) Gamble leaves and seed (highest concentrations used: 5.0 mg/cm²) offered protection for over 180 and 150 min, respectively, against Ae. aegypti. Herbal oil formulation of different plant species including Eucalyptus globulus Labill., A. indica, Mentha × piperita L., Ocimum basilicum L., and rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe has also been reported as repellents and bite protectors against Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus (Nasir et al., 2015). Terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-cineole, and β-pinene (0.4 mg/cm²) isolated from Artemisia vulgaris L. showed up to 91% inhibition of Ae. aegypti (Hwang et al., 1985). Salvia elegans Vahl possess acetate (11.4%), β-caryophyllene (6.4%), and caryophyllene oxide (13.5%), which exhibited good larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti (Ali et al., 2015). Essential oils (EOs) extracted from the Hazomalania voyronii (Jum.) Capuron dried bark, stem, and wood are being used to attain protection against the mosquito vector Ae. aegypti (Benelli et al., 2020). As per WHO protocol, extracts were prepared using leaves of Lantana camara L., Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., Nerium oleander L., and Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth, revealing effective larvicidal efficiency in contrast to larvae of Ae. aegypti (Hari and Mathew 2018). The chloroform bark extract of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight and Arn. showed maximum mortality on Ae. aegypti larvae. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of T. arjuna on Ae. aegypti larvae were 4.61 and 24.17 µg/ml, respectively (Tamilventhan and Jayaprakash 2019).

Numerous plants and plant-based products exhibit enormous biological properties (like an antibiotic, antitumor, and antiviral), which are responsible for treating millions of individuals with serious diseases. Among those flavonoids, polysaccharides, hemicelluloses, and hydrophilic colloids are involved in the antiviral properties of plants (Table 3). Some of these biologically active compounds are based on recent research, and their promising role as contemporary medication in the near future has been discussed briefly.

With the onset of dengue infection, the host can experience a complex interplay of host immune factors and viral particles, which may include amplified immune cell infection due to the presence of non-deactivating antibodies and stimulation of cross-reactive autoimmunity responses (i.e., activation of T cells and autoantibodies, cytokine deregulation, complement, and coagulation systems) (Jasso-Miranda et al., 2019). Being an acute febrile infection (thrombycytopenia, arthralgia, and hemorrhagic symptoms), it may lead to the host deterioration due to the hemorrhagic attack, plasma leak, intense shock, organ collapse, and ultimately, death (Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) 2016; Jasso-Miranda et al., 2019). Dengue infection is hypothesized to be more fatal due to the antibody-dependent enhancement of infection, which is associated with the transformation of the disease. Two DENV infections in a specific sequence, the interval of two infections, and how much the human host is causative in terms of age, health, ethnicity, and genetic background (Guzman et al., 2013). Generation of cross-reactive antibodies, post-first-time dengue infection in association with the second infecting virus, results in the formation of more harmful immune compounds like non-deactivating antibodies (critical players of the pathogenic response in severe dengue conditions) (Kuczera et al., 2018). This consequently increases the infected cell count and thus increased viral output in the form of high cytokine production, which further causes vascular permeability, intense shock, and, ultimately, death (Puerta-Guardo et al., 2013). Various other immune factors like interferons (IFN-α and -γ), interleukin (IL-6, -8, and -10), and tumor necrosis factors (TNF-α), and elevated expression of cytokine signaling suppressors are linked to severe dengue infections (Bozza et al., 2008; Chen et al., 2014; Flores-Mendoza et al., 2017). Another study revealed a potential immunomodulatory response (against DENV virus) by Schwartzia brasiliensis (Choisy) Bedell ex Gir.-Cañas Choisy extract, which helps in antigen load reduction (NS1 protein, a viral load indicator) in the cells. Crude S. brasiliensis extract was most efficient against dengue activity while the dichloromethane fraction resulted in strong immunoregulatory activities. Downregulation of various immune factors like TNF-α, IFN-α, IL-6, and IL-10 was evidenced as the key reason behind the antiviral effects (Fialho et al., 2017). Significant immunoregulation and antiviral response with Uncaria tomentosa (Willd ex Schult.) DC. fractions have also been demonstrated, in which DENV-infected monocytes (human) were tested. The anti-DENV activity was associated with decreased cytokine levels such as TNF-α and modulation of IL-10 (Reis et al., 2008). Successful molecular assessment and manipulations of various immune responses and associated factors can be useful research to develop anti-dengue drugs. Traditionally, C. papaya leaf extract has been proven for its immunomodulatory activities (Pandey et al., 2016; Anjum et al., 2017; Razak et al., 2021). In dengue patients (suffering from thrombocytopenia), oral administration of papaya leaf extract has resulted in increased platelet count activity (40–48 h) (Subenthiran et al., 2013). In other similar findings with the use of C. papaya leaf extract, beneficial impacts are reported where a significant increase in WBC and platelet count is evidenced with negligible side effects (Hettige 2008; Gowda et al., 2015). Rhodiola imbricata Edgew. (a flowering plant) is also demonstrated to induce pharmacological modifications in response to the DENV infection. It induces NK cells and cytokines like interferon b (IFN), IL-8, IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-a and upregulates phosphorylated NF-kB, eIF-2a, and PKR in DENV-infected cells (Diwaker et al., 2014). In addition, the immunomodulatory potential against DENV is stated by its ability to regulate cytokine production, phagocytic activity, and white blood cell proliferation (Razak et al., 2021).

Dengue vaccines have been classified into five main categories, i.e., live attenuated vaccines (CYD-TDV, TV003/TV005), DENVaxin activated virus vaccine (PIV), recombinant subunit vaccine (V180), DNA vaccine (D1ME100, TVDV), and viral vectored vaccine (TLAV Prime/PIV boost and reverse order) (Deng et al., 2020a). Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV) by Sanofi Pasteur (the first dengue vaccine) was registered in several endemic countries for individuals of the age group 9–45 years (Deep et al., 2018; Deng et al., 2020a). It consists of DENV (1–4) serotype structural genes (encoding PrM and E proteins) introduced in the attenuated yellow fever vaccine strain genome. According to the reports, it exerts 56%–61% virucidal efficacy against dengue in Asia and Latin America (Capeding et al., 2014; Biswal et al., 2019). This anti-dengue vaccine is only recommended for patients having evidence of past DENV infection due to infection severity in seronegative candidates via stimulating non-neutralizing antibody generation (Sridhar et al., 2018). This drawback is considerable in the development of other alternatives of anti-dengue drug discovery. Another tetravalent dengue medicine, TAK-003 (Takeda), consisting of live attenuated DENV-2 genetic backbone for all DENV serotypes, has been designed by experts at the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Huang et al., 2013). Overall vaccine efficiency is documented to be 80.9%, and the seronegative populations showed 74.9% vaccine efficacy for the new dengue vaccine (TAK-003) (Biswal et al., 2019). The vaccination priming with drugs used in combination has been reported to provide more effective immunogenic protection in animals. In addition, analysis of the immune response and the mechanism of viral elements can be a revolutionary success in vaccine development (Liu et al., 2016). Anti-dengue drugs, such as chloroquine, celgosivir, balapiravir, prednisolone, and lovastatin, have been stated to undergone medical examinations against DENV infection (Kaptein and Neyts 2016; Low et al., 2017), although no effective dengue treatment has been developed from any of these composites. Therefore, the search for more effective antiviral compounds (plant-derived or second-use medicines) is still a vital prerequisite in overcoming dengue’s lethal effects (Trujillo-Correa et al., 2019). Besides, the specific anti-dengue vaccine is not yet developed, as few to none of the potential anti-dengue candidates have been tested clinically (Razak et al., 2021).

An update about various plants with pharmacological and ethnobotanical uses against dengue treatment was presented. Besides the global status of the dengue epidemic, existing vaccination measures have been conferred in the current review. Solely, the folkloric knowledge and uses of natural resources have been promising due to the exhaustive investigation carried out on the ethnopharmacologically important plant species. Many plant species and their respective extracts and pure compounds have been shown to exhibit potential as anti-DENV medicaments. The plant bioactive metabolites exhibit antiviral response directly or through the stimulation of immunomodulatory response cascades against DENV at different infection stages, i.e., viral adsorption, intracellular replication, and proliferation. Plant metabolites also help to reduce the antigen load and manipulate various immune factors in the host. Plant-mediated immunomodulation leads to the regulated cytokine production, enhanced platelet count, and phagocytic pathway activation. However, there are several plants still used for their anti-dengue properties via traditional methods and are yet to be investigated for scientific approval. Whether the antiviral properties are a result of a single phytoconstituent or the interaction of multiple phytoconstituents present in the plant extract(s) is critical to justify. Thus, extensive research is required to assess the immunologic potentials along with the phytochemical richness of plants and further clinical probes to develop an effective medicine. Another significant aspect of medicinal plants is their insecticidal properties, which make them an eco-friendly and sustainable substitute for Aedes mosquito control. Since vaccine development is a time-consuming process, finding an alternate treatment is crucial to overcome the lethal impacts of the DENV virus. Plant natural compounds are valuable sources to accomplish the speedy discovery of anti-DENV drugs because of their safer use and positive immunomodulatory responses. Nevertheless, the most crucial task is to reveal the molecular machinery of viral components and their capability to mutate rapidly during replication. Moreover, there are some vaccines available to treat dengue infection, but with some limitations. In this scenario, research is being carried out on some medicinal plant species, i.e., Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L., Firmiana simplex (L.) W. Wight, T. sinensis, and Moringa oleifera Lam., to investigate their metabolic profiles supporting their anti-dengue properties (antilarval or anti-DENV, in the authors’ laboratory). Besides, N. arbor-tristis, M. oleifera, and T. sinensis are also reported for their larvicidal activities. Furthermore, the GC-MS profiling of F. simplex also reveals the presence of natural compounds having insecticidal properties against dengue vectors.

Besides, a lot of scientific research is dedicated towards anti-DENV drug development and further research is needed to identify phytochemicals for their antiviral efficacy, mode of action, and successful clinical implementation.