Screening of selected plant extracts for in vitro inhibitory activity on human immunodeficiency virus

Phytother Res. 2002 Sep;16(6):550-4. doi: 10.1002/ptr.992.

Abstract

As part of our screening of anti-AIDS agents from natural sources, extracts of 15 medicinal plants widely used in the folk medicines of North America and Europe were evaluated in vitro. Most of the extracts tested were relatively nontoxic to human lymphocytic MT-2 cells, but only the extracts of Hysopp officinalis and Dittrichia viscosa exhibited anti-HIV activity in an in vitro MTT assay. The 50% hydroalcohol extract of Hysopp officinalis and the aqueous extract of Dittrichia viscosa showed inhibitory effects against HIV-1 induced infections in MT-2 cells at concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 microg/mL and 25 to 400 microg/mL, respectively. Both extracts showed no appreciable cytotoxicity at these concentrations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Asteraceae
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • Europe
  • Formazans
  • HIV / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lamiaceae
  • North America
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Formazans
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • MTT formazan