title: Inhibitory effect of glycyrrhizin on the in vitro infectivity and cytopathic activity of the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV (HTLV-III/LAV)].
abstract: Glycyrrhizin (GL), one of the plant extracts, was investigated for its antiviral action on the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV (HTLV-III/LAV)] in vitro, using cytopathic effect and plaque forming assay system in MT-4 cells (a HTLV-I-carrying cell line). Cloned Molt-4 cells (clone No. 8), which are sensitive to HIV and fuse to giant cells after infection, were also used as a parameter for cytopathic effect of HIV. GL completely inhibited HIV-induced plaque formation in MT-4 cells at a concentration of 0.6 mM, the 50% inhibitory dose being 0.15 mM. GL completely inhibited the cytopathic effect of HIV and the HIV-specific antigen expression in MT-4 cells at a concentration of 0.3 and 0.6 mM, respectively. Furthermore, GL inhibited giant cell formation of HIV-infected Molt-4 clone No. 8 cells. GL had no direct effect on the reverse transcriptase of HIV. Its mechanism of anti-HIV action remains to be elucidated.
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013936:Thymidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D015215:Zidovudine
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015215:Zidovudine; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid; D013936:Thymidine