Anti-HIV agents from nature: natural compounds from hypericum hircinum and carbocyclic nucleosides from iridoids

The presence of antiviral compounds in the Guttiferae family as medicinal plants and the long traditional use of species of the genus Hypericum for the treatment of many viral infections have developed a strong interest. Among the natural products of plant origin, the ones from Hypericum genus were cited as promising anti-HIV agents. This chapter will report an updated review of carbocyclic nucleoside analogues as anti-HIV agents from iridoids. Moreover, the partial synthesis of antiviral agents from iridoid glucosides to carbocyclic nucleosides as new anti-HIV agents is reviewed.