ABSTRACT
The present study aim to develop a promising anti-HIV-1 [anti-human immunodeficiency virus type-1] extract from medicinal plants available in Egypt. The inhibitory effects of 59 plants [water and methanol extracts] on HIV essential enzymes; protease [HIV-1 PR] and reverse transcriptase [HIV-1 RT Rnase H], and on MT4-cells infected with HIV were evaluated. HIV-1 PR inhibitory effect was quantitatively evaluated by HPLC [measuring the hydrolysate and remained substrate, His-Lys-Ala-Arg-Val-Leu-[pNO[2]-Phe]-Glu-Ala-NLe-Ser-NH[2].The HIV-1 RT Rnase H inhibitory effect was evaluated by measuring the degradation of [3]H-labeled RNA in a hybrid in the presence of the tested extract. The anti-HIV-1-induced cytopathic effect [CPE] was evaluated on MT-4 cells infected with HIV-1 [IC[100] was determined through an optical microscope and cell growth was examined to give the CC that reduces the viability of MT-4 cells]. Potent inhibitory effect on HIV-1 PR was demonstrated by the methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Calligonium comosum L'Herit, leaves of Chrysophyllum cainito L., Carissa carandas L., Eugenia rosea DC and Raeumaria hirtella Jaub. Et Spthe [IC[150] 3-10 micro g/ml]. Significant anti-HIV-1 induced CPE was demonstrated by two samples; the methanol and water extracts of the root of Chelidonium majus L. [IC[100]= 3.9 micro g/ml, similar to that of azidothymidine [AZT] followed by the methanol extract of the fruits of Berberis vulgaris L. [IC100= 7.81 micro/ml]. Promising plant extracts will be subjected to further investigation to isolate pure active natural compound [s]. Also, screening of other Egyptian medicinal plant extracts for anti- HIV-1 activity will be highly valuable