In vitro inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and anti-inflammatory activities of some herbal concoctions sold in the Limpopo Province

Abstract

HIV-1 is the principal virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition characterized by extreme immunosuppression and inflammation that leads to life-threatening opportunistic infections. The pitfalls of current anti-retroviral therapies are the lack of medical access in developing countries, adverse side effects and the rise of resistant strains. Natural products used in traditional medicine that can interfere with the replication of the HIV serve as good sources of anti-HIV drugs and anti-inflammation agents. The aim of this study was to validate the anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory properties of some herbal concoctions sold in the Limpopo Province, reported to treat HIV and inflammation related symptoms. The anti-HIV activity was evaluated using the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitory bioassay. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined using cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibitory assays. Compared to the controls, Lamivudine, Zidovudine, Lopinavir and Ritonavir, the laboratory concoction showed the highest HIV-reverse transcriptase inhibition (IC50: 2.90 μg/mL), followed by herbal concoction 5 (IC50: 11.74 μg/mL). It is likely the herbal concoctions induced a conformational change on the HIV-RT by binding to its allosteric sites, thus inactivating it. Generally, the herbal concoctions achieved higher percentage inhibitions (≥70%) for COX-2 than for COX-1. The anti-inflammatory activity of the herbal concoctions thus may also assist to alleviate pain in the patients. This research validated the ethnopharmacological use of herbal concoctions towards the treatment of HIV infections. However, more studies are needed to further elucidate the pharmacokinetics and toxicological effects of these medicines.