Therapeutic Potential of Indole Derivatives as Anti-HIV Agents: A Mini-review

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is one of the leading causes of human deaths. The advent of different anti-HIV drugs has turned AIDS/HIV from a deadly infection to chronic and manageable disease. However, the development of multidrug-resistant viruses, along with the severe side effects of anti-HIV agents, has compromised their efficacy and limited the treatment options. Indoles, the most common frameworks in the bioactive molecules, represent attractive scaffolds for designing and developing novel drugs. Indole derivatives are potent inhibitors of HIV enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. Furthermore, some indole-based agents, like delavirdine, have already been applied in clinics or are under clinical evaluations for the treatment of AIDS/HIV, revealing that indole moiety is a useful template for the development of anti-HIV agents. This review focuses on the recent advancement in indole derivatives, including indole alkaloids, hybrids, and dimers with anti-HIV potential, covering articles published between 2010 and 2020. The chemical structures, structure-activity relationship, and mechanisms of action are also discussed.