In vitro anti-HIV-1 activity of chondroitin polysulphate

Three chondroitin sulphates and five chondroitin polysulphates, with molecular weights ranging from 3000 to 30,000 daltons, were evaluated applying the MT-4 cell-culture assay for inhibition of HIV-1 replication. These results were compared with those obtained with compounds of known in vitro antiretroviral activity, namely, dermatan sulphate, heparin, dextran sulphate, pentosan polysulphate, zidovudine (AZT) and suramin. Chondroitin polysulphate with a molecular weight (MW) of 9000 daltons (CPS 9000) was the most effective polyanionic compound studied. In contrast with zidovudine, this CPS 9000 was not toxic for MT-4 cells up to a concentration of 500 micrograms/ml. Moreover, CPS 9000 is highly specific for inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.