• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.115-121
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• 2006

Objectives : For the purpose of developing new anti-HIV agents from natural sources, the extracts of Actinidia arguta were tested for their inhibitory effects on essential enzymes as the reverse transcriptase (RT), protease and ${\alpha}-\;glucosidase$. And we predicted inhibition activity of major compounds of Actinidia arguta using Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR). Methods : In this assay the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase is measured as the formation of a strand of copy-DNA (cDNA) using RNA as a template. The activity of HIV-1 protease is measured as the cleavage of an oligopeptide by HIV-1 protease. Results : In the anti-HIV-1 RT using Enzyme Linked Oligonucleotide Sorbent Assay (ELOSA) method, water extracts (100ug/ml) of stem and leaf showed strong activity of 93.9% and 91.9%, respectively. In the HIV-1 protease inhibition assay, aqueous stem extract inhibited the activity of the enzyme to cleave an oligopeptide, resembling one of the cleavage sites in the viral polyprotein which can only be processed by HIV-1 protease with 56.8%. In the ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibition assay, aqueous stem extract showed activity of 73.1%. Conclusion : We found out this result, for these samples it is possible that the inhibition of the viral replication in vitro is due to the inhibition at least one of RT and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$. It would be of great interest to identify the compounds which are responsible for this inhibition, since all therapeutically useful agent up to date are RT, PR and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitors.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.1 s.132
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• pp.28-32
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• 2003

In order to search for the anti-HIV agents from natural products, eighty MeOH extracts of medicinal plants were applied to a syncytia formation inhibition assay which is based on the interaction between the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120/gp41 and the cellular membrane protein CD4 of T lymphocytes. Among them, Ailanthus altissima showed a potent virus-cell fusion inhibitory activity. Repeated column chromatoghaphy of the methylene chloride fraction of A. altissima afforded compounds 1$({\beta}-sitosterol-3-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside)$, 2(tetramethoxycoumarin), and 3(ocotillone). Virus-cell fusion inhibitory activity of compound 3(ocotillone) was $70.76{\pm}4.09%$ at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2017

Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic agent especially in immunocompromised hosts and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, detection and monitoring of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies are of a great interest in HIV-infected patients. A study on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors was carried out among HIV-infected patients in Jahrom, southern Iran. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was 21.1% in HIV-infected patients by ELISA. PCR was performed on all of the samples, and 1 of the blood samples was positively detected. Among the HIV patients, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were significantly higher in age group of 30-39 years old (P=0.05). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with $CD4^+$ < $100cells/{\mu}l$ was 33.3% that was significantly higher than the other groups (P=0.042) with or without IgG antibodies. The $CD4^+$ count mean of seropositive patients was lower than that of seronegative patients. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy was significantly less than patients without therapy (P=0.02). In conclusion, this study showed low seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis among HIV-infected patients in the region and confirmed the need for intensifying prevention efforts among this high-risk population and also the risk of toxoplasmosis reactivation which could be important among this population.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

Some Korean plants were found to inhibit HIV-1 protease activity. The extracts of Acanthopanax koreanum (stem bark), Berchemia berchemiaefolia (stem), Berchemia berchemiaefolia (bark), Distylium racemosum (leaves), Distylium racemosum (stem), Lindera erythrocarpa (leaves), Physalis alkekengi var. francheti (root), Platycarya strobilacea (stem), Rodiola rosea (root), Rosa davurica (stem), Syringa dilatata (leaves), Viburnum awabuki (stem) and Viburnum awabuki (leaves) showed significant inhibitory effect against HIV-1 protease. Camelliatannin H from Camellia japonica and uvaol from Cratagus pinatrifida were potent active inhibitors of HIV-1 protease with $IC_{50}$ values of $0.9\;{\mu}M$ and $5.5\;{\mu}M$, respectively. The cure and prevention of AIDS have been a global challenge since it was discovered in the ealy 1980s. However, the development of anti-HIV agent that can effectively treat or prevent this disease are still demanded.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.3502-3508
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• 2014

The first synthetic route to 5'-norcarbocyclic C-nucleoside [7-oxa-7,9-dideazadenosine (furo[3,2-d]pyrimidine) and 9-deazaadenosine (pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine)] phosphonic acids from commercially available 1,3-dihydroxy cyclopentane was described. The key C-C bond formation from sugar to base precursor was performed using Knoevenagel-type condensation from a ketone derivative. Synthesized C-nucleoside phosphonic acids were tested for anti-HIV activity as well as anti-leukemic activity. Compound 26 showed significant anti-leukemic activity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.2180-2184
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• 2010

We synthesized and tested the anti-HIV activity of the SATE prodrug of a 2'-methyl 5'-norcarbocyclic adenine analogue. The introduction of a methyl group in the 2'-position was performed by the addition of a carbonyl using isopropenyl magnesium bromide. The adenine base was efficiently coupled using the Mitsunobu reaction. The chemical stability study of the bis(SATE) derivative 18 was measured at neutral (pH 7.2) and slightly acid (milli-Q water, pH 5.5) pH, and compounds 16 and 18 were evaluated as potential anti-HIV-1 agents.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.4007-4014
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• 2012

Efficient synthetic route to novel 4'-fluorinated 5'-deoxythreosyl phosphonic acid nucleosides was described from glyceraldehyde using Horner-Emmons reaction in the presence of triethyl ${\alpha}$-fluorophosphonoacetate. Glycosylation reaction of nucleosidic bases with glycosly donor 14 gave the nucleosides which were further phosphonated and hydrolyzed to reach desired nucleoside analogues. Synthesized nucleoside analogues 18, 21, 25 and 28 were tested for anti-HIV activity as well as cytotoxicity. Adenine derivatives 18 and 21 showed significant anti-HIV activity up to $100{\mu}M$.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.1
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• pp.209-236
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• 1992

The microculture XTT antiviral assay method is used to quantitate HIV-1 induced cytopathic effects as modulated by test substances. This relatively simple assay facilitated the safe and rapid determination of in vitro antiviral activity of selected chemicals as well as direct cytotoxicity. This experiment also confirmed that this system measures infection and subsequent viral replication in target cells and XTT formazan formations correlated with the accumulation of extracellular virions, as measured by quantitative HIV-1 induced syncytium foramtion. The present results with Glycyrrhizin using this in vitro culture system demonstrated that effective dose, EC50(the concentration at which increases XTT formazan production in infected cultures to 50% of that in untreated, uninfected controls) was 250ml. As comparison, AZT was included in this experiment and demonstrated that EC50 AZT of was 0.05g/ml, approximately 5,000 times more potent than Glycyrrhizin based on EC50 ratio's alone. However, this potency is limited by severe cytotoxicity of AZT, while Glycyrrhizin is approximately 16 times less toxic(IC50 of Glycyrrhizin 800 and AZT 51 g/ml). While AZT's anti-HIV-1 viral activity is mediated by inhibition of reverse transcriptase of the virus, Glycyrrhizin faild to demonstrate any inhibitory activity against reverse transcriptase. Further study is necessary in order to understand the precise mechanisms of Glycyrrhizin action against HIV-1 viruses. Althouth Glycyrrhizin is less effective antiviral agent than AZT, much less toxicity of Glycyrrhizin is desirable in terms of chronic treatment. Combination treatment of AZT and Glycyrrhizin may be therapeutically beneficial. Clinical effectiveness of two drug combination therapy for AIDS patient is unknown at this time. However, this experimental investigation presents the scientific rational basis for such therapeutic approach.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2006

We have studied pharmacokinetics of a new anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) agent VP-0501 and its amino acid prodrug VP-0501AL which is designed to improve oral bioavailability. After oral administration at 100 mg/kg dose in rats (n = 4), VP-0501 was not detectable in plasma (<50 ng/ml), while after the administration of VP-0501AL, VP-0501 was quantitatively detected, at least for 8 hrs, with Cmax of ca. $2.5{\mu}g/ml$ and AUC of $8hr^{\ast}{\mu}g/ml$. When VP-0501 was intravenously administered at 50mg/kg, this compound appeared at a marginal level in plasma with AUC of $2hr^{\ast}{\mu}g/ml$, $t_{1/2}$ of 2 hr, $C_0$ of $0.7{\mu}g/ml$, and MRT of 3 hr. On the other hand, with intravenous VP-0501AL at the same dose, both the prodrug VP-0501AL and its metabolite VP-0501 appeared comparatively at higher level in the plasma: pharmacokinetic parameters of VP-0501AL including $Vd_{\beta}$, AUC, $t_{1/2,{\beta}}$, $C_0$, $CL_{tot}$, and MRT were ca. 2 L/kg, $70hr^{\ast}{\mu}g/ml$, 2 hr, $180{\mu}g/ml$, 0.7 L/hr/kg, and 1 hr, respectively. These results demonstrate that attachment of amino acid alanine to VP-0501 is an effective approach for improvement of its oral bioavailability. Therefore, VP-0501AL is expected to become a new highly bioavailable and potent anti-AIDS drug candidate/lead compound.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1367-1375
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• 2018

Silver nanoparticles have been widely applied for biomedical areas owing to their potent antiviral and antibacterial activities. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using biomacromolecules is more efficient, environment-friendly, and cost-saving compared with the traditional approach. In this paper, a novel approach was developed to establish a reaction system with $Ag^+-BH4^--sericin$ to synthesize silver nanoparticles conjugated to sericin (AgNPs-Sericin). Sericin could be as a good dispersant and stabilizing agent, which is able to modify nanoscaled AgNPs, the average diameter of which was only $3.78{\pm}1.14nm$ prepared in a 0.3 mg/ml sericin solution. The characterizations of the AgNPs-Sericin were determined by FTIR, thermogravimetry, and XRD analyses. The results showed that the synthesized AgNPs conjugated with sericin as organic phase. Via SAED and XRD analysis, we showed that these AgNPs formed polycrystalline powder with a face-centered cubic structure of bulk metals. Moreover, we investigated the antiviral and antibacterial activities of AgNPs-Sericin, and the results showed that AgNPs-Sericin exhibited potent anti-HIV-1 activity against CCR5-tropic and CXCR4-tropic strains, but no significant cytotoxicity was found toward human genital epithelial cells compared with free silver ions, which are accepted as a commonly used potent antimicrobial agent. Moreover, its antibacterial activity was determined via flow cytometry. The results showed that AgNPs-Sericin could suppress gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria, but more was potent for the gram-negative one. We concluded that our AgNPs-Sericin could be a potential candidate as a microbicide or antimicrobial agent to prevent sexually transmitted infections.