The organic plant extracts of 21 species of Clusiaceae from Mexico were screened for anti HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity in a non-radioactive immuno colorimetric assay. The extracts of 5 species (23.8%) exhibited significant inhibition (Ն70%) of HIV-1 RT activity; of these, only 4 extracts showed reduced toxicity to human lymphocytic MT2 cells and were further tested as inhibitors of HIV-1 IIIb/LAV replication in a cellular system. The best extracts were Calophyllum brasiliense (hexane) and Clusia quadrangula (CH 2 Cl 2 -MeOH) which inhibited HIV-1 RT (IC 50 6.92؍ m mg/ml and 42 m mg/ml), and showed an EC 50 5.29؍ m mg/ml and 91 m mg/ml, respectively, on MT2 cells. However, only Calophyllum brasiliense hexane extract showed significant inhibition on viral replication (ED 50 1.73؍ m mg/ml), while Clusia quadrangula was less active (ED 50 421؍ m mg/ml). These results support the idea that plant extracts represent a valuable source of potential anti HIV compounds.
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