Porphyrins as Novel Therapeutics for HIV: Mechanism, Advances, and Challenges

Porphyrins, a class of heterocyclic macrocycles, have garnered significant attention for their potential antiviral properties, particularly against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This review explores how porphyrins and their derivatives inhibit HIV replication, focusing on their interactions with key viral components, including reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase. In addition, the review highlights the role of porphyrins in photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a novel approach to targeting HIV-infected cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that metalloporphyrins, in particular, exhibit enhanced antiviral activity due to their unique structural and electronic properties. Despite promising in vitro and preclinical results, challenges such as cytotoxicity, bioavailability, and resistance mechanisms remain unaddressed. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of research on porphyrins as anti-HIV agents, emphasizing their potential as a therapeutic strategy and identifying key areas for future investigation. The findings underscore the importance of porphyrins in the ongoing search for effective antiviral therapies against HIV.