title: An evaluation of the RNase H inhibitory effects of Vietnamese medicinal plant extracts and natural compounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a severe pandemic disease especially prevalent in poor and developing countries. Thus, developing specific, potent antiviral drugs that restrain infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), a major cause of AIDS, remains an urgent priority.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated 32 extracts and 23 compounds from Vietnamese medicinal plants for their inhibitory effects against HIV-1 ribonuclease H (RNase H) and their role in reversing the cytopathic effects of HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  The plants were air-dried and extracted in different solvent systems to produce plant extracts. Natural compounds were obtained as previously published. Samples were screened for RNase H inhibition followed by a cytopathic assay. Data were analyzed using the Microsoft Excel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 50 μg/mL, 11 plant extracts and five compounds inhibited over 90% of RNase H enzymatic activity. Methanol extracts from Phyllanthus reticulatus and Aglaia aphanamixis leaves inhibited RNase H activity by 99 and 98%, respectively, whereas four extracts showed modest protection against the cytopathic effects of HIV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The screening results demonstrated that the butanol (BuOH) extract of Celastrus orbiculata leaves, methanol (MeOH) extracts of Glycosmis stenocarpa stems, Eurya ciliata leaves, and especially P. reticulatus leaves showed potential RNase H inhibition and protection against the viral cytopathic effects of HIV-1. Further chemical investigations should be carried out to find the active components of these extracts and compounds as potential anti-HIV drug candidates.
authors: College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors: Bui Huu
authors: BH
authors: Tai
authors: Nguyen Duy
authors: ND
authors: Nhut
authors: Nguyen Xuan
authors: NX
authors: Nhiem
authors: Tran Hong
authors: TH
authors: Quang
authors: Nguyen Thi
authors: NT
authors: Thanh Ngan
authors: Bui Thi
authors: BT
authors: Thuy Luyen
authors: Tran Thu
authors: TT
authors: Huong
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Wilson
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Beutler
authors: Ninh Khac
authors: NK
authors: Ban
authors: Nguyen Manh
authors: NM
authors: Cuong
authors: Young Ho
authors: YH
authors: Kim
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