Screening and identification of bioactive compounds from citrus against non-structural protein 3 protease of hepatitis C virus genotype 3a by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay and mass spectrometry

Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a (HCV G3a) is highly prevalent in Pakistan. Due to the elevated cost of available Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs against HCV, medicinal natural products of potent antiviral activity should be screened for the cost-effective treatment of the disease. Furthermore, from natural products, active compounds against vital HCV proteins like non-structural protein 3 (NS3) protease could be identified to prevent viral proliferation in the host.