Title: Inhibition of HIV-1 Infection of Cells with the South African Medicinal Plant Code

Title: Inhibition of HIV-1 infection of cells with the South African medicinal plant code named BP36

Name: Kabamba Bankoledi Alexandre

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa

Background

The collaboration between the CSIR South Africa and Traditional Healers led to the identification of a medicinal plant (BP36) that can be used for the treatment of HIV. The BP36 extract was tested in various cell toxicity and HIV-1 inhibition assays. Data obtained from these assays will guide work geared toward isolating the active compound from this plant and developing it into a HIV-1 microbicide.

Methods

The BP36 extract was tested against 10 HIV-1 pseudoviruses in the TZM-bl neutralization assay. Its ability to inhibit infectious viruses was studied using the XTT assay and the neutralization assay in pheripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The extract stability in vaginal and seminal simulants and its toxicity to female genital tract resident lactobacilli were also investigated.

Results

BP36 showed a good inhibitory profile against different strains of HIV-1 subtype C. In the XTT assay it had potent anti-viral activities with excellent therapeutic index. The extract was also very potent in its inhibition of HIV-1 infection of PBMC with a therapeutic index that was higher than some well know anti-retrovirals. Lastly, BP36 retained its anti-viral activity in both vaginal and seminal simulants and showed no toxicity to lactobacilli.

Discussion

Our study shows the ability of BP36 to inhibit HIV-1 infection. These data suggest that the active ingredient in this plant may retain its anti-viral activity in the female genital tract and won’t be toxic to the host. This work supports further studies to isolate the active compound in BP36.

Biography

Dr. Kabamba Alexandre has completed a PhD in Virology at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in South Africa. He is currently a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa. He has a number of publication in international leading virology journals.

Presenting author details
Full name: Kabamba Bankoledi Alexandre
Contact number: +27128413583
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Category: Oral presentation