Natural Products as Anti- HIV Agents

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a pandemic immunodegenerative disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease is ravaging, given the number of patients infected with the disease worldwide, the high mortality rate and attendant socio-economic casualties in affected countries, mostly in Africa. With the introduction of newer, more effective and less toxic drugs, the offending virus seems to be facing stiffer challenges. Buoyed by a high element of advocacy for self control measures, chemotherapy and compliance seem to have stemmed the tide of wasteful death arising from mortal opportunistic infection. The present report gives a concise account of the efforts of Traditional practitioners and herbal scientists or Pharmacognocists at unraveling promising natural products of terrestrial (plants) and marine origins with activity against the HIV. A wide range of plants and marine organism's families and origins, containing various and varied chemical classes of compounds have been screened for anti-HIV activity. Relevant modified in-vitro assay methods and possible mechanisms of action of some of the active isolates or lead compounds are also included. NQJHM Vol. 14 (1) 2004: pp. 88-10