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Reverse transcriptase inhibition as prescreen for potential antiviral bioactives
M D Antoun1, Y R Ríos, N T Mendoza
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936-5067.
Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Plant extracts were tested for their ability to inhibit avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. This screening method can help identify potential compounds for developing anti-HIV drugs.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Reverse transcriptase (RT) is a crucial enzyme in retroviral replication.
- Avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) reverse transcriptase is a model enzyme for studying RT activity.
- Natural products, particularly plant extracts, are a rich source of bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inhibitory potential of higher plant extracts against AMV reverse transcriptase.
- To establish a prescreening assay for identifying novel anti-HIV bioactive compounds from natural sources.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of various plant extracts.
- Assay of AMV reverse transcriptase activity in the presence of plant extracts.
- Quantification of enzyme inhibition based on RT activity.
Main Results:
- Several plant extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against AMV reverse transcriptase.
- The developed assay effectively identified potential inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Higher plant extracts contain compounds that can inhibit avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase.
- This assay serves as a valuable prescreen for discovering anti-HIV therapeutic agents from botanical sources.