Potent suppression of HIV-1 cell attachment by Kudzu root extract

Abstract

There is a constant need to improve antiretrovirals against HIV since therapy is limited by cost, side effects and the emergence of drug resistance. Kudzu is a climbing vine from which the root extract (Pueraria lobata), rich in isoflavones and saponins, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of purposes, from weight loss to alcoholism prevention. Here we show that Kudzu root extract significantly inhibits HIV-1 entry into cell lines, primary human CD4+T lymphocytes and macrophages, without cell-associated toxicity. Specifically, Kudzu inhibits the initial attachment of the viral particle to the cell surface, a mechanism that depends on the envelope glycoprotein gp120 but is independent from the HIV-1 cell receptor CD4 and co-receptors CXCR4/CCR5. This activity seems selective to lentiviruses since Kudzu inhibits HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus, but does not interfere with Hepatitis C, Influenza, Zika Brazil and adenovirus infection. Importantly, depending on the dose, Kudzu can act synergistically or additively with the current antiretroviral cocktails against HIV-1 and can block viruses resistant to the fusion inhibitor Enfuvirtide. Together our results highlight Kudzu’s root extract value as a supplement to current antiretroviral therapy against HIV.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12977-018-0446-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Antiviral and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Puerarin in Piglets Infected With Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus

“…Importantly, PR administration decreased the expression of the viral genes in the ileum, jejunal, colon, and mesenteric lymph nodes, indicating that PR plays an antiviral role in a large part of the gut. Previous studies showed that PR inhibited HIV-1 replication and human respiratory syncytial virus activities in vitro (20,21). Some medicinal herbal extracts, such as oleanane triterpenes from the flowers of Camellia japonica, Sophorae radix, Acanthopanacis cortex, Sanguisorbae radix, and Torilis fructus, can inhibit PEDV replication (49,50).…”

“…Another study found that PR had a moderate ability to reduce hepatitis B virus production in vitro (19). Additionally, Kudzu root-extracted PR inhibited HIV-1 replication by blocking the initial attachment of the viral particle to the cell surface in primary human CD4 + T lymphocytes and macrophages (20). Lin et al found that the water extract of Pueraria lobata Ohwi has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines (21).…”

Resistance to the Tat Inhibitor Didehydro-Cortistatin A Is Mediated by Heightened Basal HIV-1 Transcription

“…Cells were washed and treated. At 48 h after treatment, the cells were lysed and luciferase activity was measured as previously shown (19, 64).…”

RETRACTED ARTICLE: LDH hybrid thermosensitive hydrogel for intravaginal delivery of anti-HIV drugs

“…The low expression level of CCR5 in DCs cells may be the reason why the fluorescence intensity of the dosing group and the untreated group are not much different. The binding of HIV virus to CCR5 on the surface of target cells results in a conformational change of the viral surface protein gp41, which was an important step for HIV into target cells [26,27]. The nifeviroc released by LDH-P407 gel could inhibit the entry of HIV into the human body through competitive binding of CCR5.…”