Activities of Natural Plant Extracts against HIV-1

Anti-HIV-1 activities for the extracts (buthanol, hexane, chloroform, and water) of medicinal plants widely used in the folk medicine were evaluated for screening of anti-AIDS agents. The activities of the extracts to inhibit HIV-1 replication were also analyzed. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) of inhibition activity of the p24 production for chloroform extract of Saphora flavescens, chloroform extract of Herba ephedrae, and hexane extract of Pachyma hoelen Rumph showed 5.8, 29.9, and 37.3 2g/ml, respectively, as good activities. Hexane extract of Sophora flavescens, buthanol extract of Tulipa edulis, hexane extracts of Tulipa edulis, Herba ephedra, and Pachyma hoelen Rumph in the 50% cytotoxic concentration ($CC_{50}$) in inhibition activities of recombinant HIV-1 RT showed 12.9, 19.5, 11.6, 12.0, and 36.8 % at concentration of 200 ${\mu}g$/ml, respectively, as good activities. From these results, chloroform extract of Saphora flavescens, chloroform extract of Herba ephedrae, and hexane extract of Pachyma hoelen Rumph were very effective against HIV-1 among all extracts tested. Therefore, we expect these plants will be a useful for anti- HIV-1 therapeutics in future.