title: HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors of natural origin.
abstract: Inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) are important drugs for the treatment of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS). One approach to identify novel inhibitors of HIV-1-RT is the screening of natural compounds. Many natural products have been shown to be active as RT inhibitors. These compounds belong to a wide range of different structural classes, e.g., coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, lignans, terpenes, naphtho- and anthraquinones, and polysaccharides. The life forms from which the bioactive compounds were isolated are as equally diverse and comprise terrestrial and marine plants, micro-organisms, and marine animals. From the most extensive screening effort, carried out by the NCl, calanolide A, isolated from the terrestrial plant Calophyllum lanigerum (Guttiferae), has been discovered as the most interesting natural RT inhibitor. The promise of this natural product probably relates to a novel mechanism of action. The current review describes natural products from various sources that are able to inhibit HIV-RT.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matthée
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: König
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase