Preprint / Version 1

Anti-HIV-1 activity, protease inhibition and safety profile of extracts prepared from Rhus parviflora

Authors

  • Manoj Modi Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India
  • Nutan Nutan Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India
  • Boskey Pancholi Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India
  • Shweta Kulshrestha National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Ajay Rawat National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Swadesh Malhotra National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Satish Gupta Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India

Keywords:

Rhus parviflora, Cytotoxicity, Lactobacilli, Vaginal keratinocytes, Anti-HIV-1 activity, HIV-1 protease, Pro-inflammatory cytokines

Abstract

In the present study, extracts prepared from the leaves of Rhus parviflora Roxb. (Anacardiaceae) were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity, which have been traditionally used for the treatment of neurological disorders such as anxiety, insomnia and epilepsy. Methods Aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts prepared from leaves of the plant were tested for their cytotoxicity and anti-HIV property using reporter gene based assays as well as human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Further these extracts were evaluated for their ability to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease activity. Safety profile of the extracts was determined on viability of Lactobacillus sp., secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by vaginal keratinocytes and transepithelial resistance. Results Both aqueous (IC50 = 15 μg/ml) and 50% ethanolic (IC50 = 26 μg/ml) extracts prepared from leaves of R. parviflora showed anti-HIV activity in TZM-bl cells wherein the virus was treated with the extracts prior to infection. Further, both the extracts also inhibited virus load in HIV infected CEM-GFP cells and human PBLs. The anti-HIV activity is mediated through inhibition of HIV-1 protease activity. Both the extracts did not disturb the integrity of monolayer formed by intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. The extracts when tested up to 100 μg/ml did not significantly reduce the viability of L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus and L. casei. The extracts (100 μg/ml) did not reveal any cytotoxic effect on vaginal keratinocytes (Vk2/E6E7). Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by Vk2/E6E7 cells treated with both the plant extracts were within the non-inflammatory range. Conclusions The studies reported herein showed in vitro anti-HIV activity and preliminary safety profile of the extracts prepared from the leaves of R. parviflora. Keywords: Rhus parviflora, Cytotoxicity, Lactobacilli, Vaginal keratinocytes, Anti-HIV-1 activity, HIV-1 protease, Pro-inflammatory cytokines

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