Anti-HIV-1 integrase potency of methylgallate from Alchornea cordifolia using in vitro and in silico approaches

Abstract

According to the 2018 report of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), remains a significant public health problem. The non-existence of a cure or effective vaccine for the disease and the associated emergence of resistant viral strains imply an urgent need for the discovery of novel anti-HIV drug candidates. The current study aimed to identify potential anti-retroviral compounds from Alchornea cordifolia. Bioactive compounds were identified using several chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and subsequently evaluated for cytotoxicity and anti-HIV properties. Molecular modelling studies against HIV-1 integrase (HIV-1 IN) were performed to decipher the mode of action of methylgallate, the most potent compound (IC50 = 3.7 nM) and its analogues from ZINC database. Cytotoxicity assays showed that neither the isolated compounds nor the crude methanolic extract displayed cytotoxicity effects on the HeLa cell line. A strong correlation between the in vitro and in silico results was observed and important HIV-1 IN residues interacting with the different compounds were identified. These current results indicate that methylgallate is the main anti-HIV-1 compound in A. cordifolia stem bark, and could be a potential platform for the development of new HIV-1 IN inhibitors.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Alchornea Cordifolia (Schumach and Thonn.) Mull. Arg. And Antrocaryon Klaineanum Pierre Extracts

“…In the central and coastal regions of Cameroon, Dibong et al [6] reported that the leaves of this plant are used for the treatment of anemia. This plant has many order traditional applications, including treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders, hormonal-related gynecological disorders, infertility, urinary, respiratory and intestinal problems as well as malaria-like fevers and anti-HIV1 integrase activity [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Earlier studies on the chemical constituents of A. cordifolia identified compounds such as tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids and alkaloids [11].…”

“…Earlier studies on the chemical constituents of A. cordifolia identified compounds such as tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids and alkaloids [11]. The varied popular uses of different parts of A. cordifolia have led to many modern pharmacological investigations like antibacterial [16], antifungal [17], spasmolytic [18] and reproductive activities [13].…”

Recent Highlights in Anti‐infective Medicinal Chemistry from South Africa

“…Accordingly, in this review, we discuss some recent highlights in medicinal chemistry research (2016–2020) in which researchers based in South Africa have made a significant contribution through medicinal chemistry methodology. Therefore, this review excludes recent contributions made in natural products chemistry . While substantial focus in South African medicinal chemistry is devoted to neurological disorders and cancer, this review will focus on those studies with promise against infectious diseases.…”

Cordidepsine is A Potential New Anti-HIV Depsidone from Cordia millenii, Baker

“…Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the major viral infections ravaging the world; around 76.1 million people have been infected since the first report in 1981 [1]. According to the report of the Cameroon Population Based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA) in 2018, viral prevalence in Cameroon is 3.4% [2] and about 37 million people around the world are currently living with the infection [1].…”

“…Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the major viral infections ravaging the world; around 76.1 million people have been infected since the first report in 1981 [1]. According to the report of the Cameroon Population Based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA) in 2018, viral prevalence in Cameroon is 3.4% [2] and about 37 million people around the world are currently living with the infection [1]. The absence of vaccines and associated resistance of virus to antiretroviral drugs [1] have contributed to the impairment of most patient’s defense system by opportunistic bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and other bacterial pneumonia infections [3].…”