Document 0865
 DOCN  M9480865
 TI    Synergistic antiretroviral activities of the herb, Prunella vulgaris,
       with AZT, ddI, and ddC.
 DT    9410
 AU    John JF; Kuk R; Rosenthal A; Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New
       Brunswick, N.J.
 SO    Abstr Gen Meet Am Soc Microbiol. 1994;94:481 (abstract no. S-27). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ASM94/94313080
 AB    There is a urgent need for new, safe, and inexpensive therapy for HIV
       infection. We tested a group of commonly available herbs for their
       activity in aqueous solution against HIV. In screening tests of four
       commonly used herbs, Prunella vulgaris (PV) was found to exert the best
       anti-HIV activity. The antiretroviral activity of PV was further
       analyzed using an aqueous extract prepared by boiling 3 gm in 100 ml.
       water for 45 min. followed by filter sterilization. The ability of
       different dilutions of PV to inhibit replication of HIV strain H9/3B was
       monitored by inhibition of HIV-induced cytotoxicity in MT2 cells,
       measured by the MTT uptake assay. HIV inhibition of PV alone was tested
       in four dilutions (undiluted, 1:10, 1:100, and 1:1000). MT2 cell
       cytotoxicity was present at undiluted and 1:10 dilutions. The 1:100 and
       1:1000 dilutions gave 80-90% and 0-25% protection respectively. PV was
       next tested in combination with AZT, ddI, or ddC. The combinations of PV
       (1:1000) plus AZT (0.003-0.01 microM) and PV plus ddI (0.1-0.3 microM)
       gave protection of 69-74% compared to a much lower protection range
       (10%) by AZT or ddI alone at the same concentrations. Only a slight
       additive effect was observed for PV plus ddC. We conclude that certain
       herbs like PV may display synergistic anti-HIV activity when used in
       combination with antiretroviral nucleosides.
 DE    Cell Line  Comparative Study  Didanosine/*TOXICITY  Dose-Response
       Relationship, Drug  Drug Synergism  *Herbs  Human  HIV/*DRUG
       EFFECTS/PHYSIOLOGY  Plant Extracts/*TOXICITY  Virus Replication/*DRUG
       EFFECTS  Zalcitabine/*TOXICITY  Zidovudine/*TOXICITY  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
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