HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones

Introduction: Over the years, HIV has persisted as a global health challenge. Although there is availability of anti-retroviral therapy, a cure remains elusive and the development of drug resistance to current drugs necessitates the development of novel therapies. This study investigated novel isofl...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mr Steven Raubenheimer, Miss Phaladi Kunyane, Dr Mamoalosi Selepe, Dr Ntombenhle Gama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971224006921
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850240771995729920
author Mr Steven Raubenheimer
Miss Phaladi Kunyane
Dr Mamoalosi Selepe
Dr Ntombenhle Gama
author_facet Mr Steven Raubenheimer
Miss Phaladi Kunyane
Dr Mamoalosi Selepe
Dr Ntombenhle Gama
author_sort Mr Steven Raubenheimer
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Over the years, HIV has persisted as a global health challenge. Although there is availability of anti-retroviral therapy, a cure remains elusive and the development of drug resistance to current drugs necessitates the development of novel therapies. This study investigated novel isoflavones that were synthesized from methoxybezofurans, a class of compounds that have been reported to exhibit anti-HIV activity. Methods: A subtype C pseudovirus, CAP 210 was produced through the co-transfection of HEK 293 T cells with the relevant plasmids, and the isoflavones were tested for their effects on the infectivity of these viruses using the BrightGlo luciferase substrate. Time of addition (TOA) studies were performed to elucidate the potential target of these compounds. These observations were supported by in silico docking studies. The effects of the compounds on the viability of TZM-bl cells were also determined. Results: The five isoflavones inhibited the infectivity of CAP 210, a subtype C pseudovirus, with IC50 values ranging between 6.2 and 10.6 µM. These were non-toxic to TZMbl cells, making the compounds highly selective to the virus (SI values range from 4.4 to 32.3). A modified time of addition (TOA) study was performed to ascertain entry inhibition and compounds B and C were identified as entry inhibitors. In silico docking studies revealed the compounds interact with Trp 427 and Glu 370 of gp120 via hydrogen bonding. Discussion: The development of novel HIV therapy remains a necessity for the sustainable management of HIV. This study identified five isoflavones with micromolar activities against HIV. Two of the five investigated compounds were shown to be entry inhibitors. There are currently, four FDA approved entry associated inhibitors, with only one, fostemsavir being an attachment inhibitor (interacting with gp120). Conclusion: Isoflavones have good HIV inhibition potential. The further development of these compounds could ultimately contribute to the collection of entry inhibitors in clinical use.
format Article
id doaj-art-cb1d8cd6926845989251cb1bc8e320df
institution OA Journals
issn 1201-9712
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series International Journal of Infectious Diseases
spelling doaj-art-cb1d8cd6926845989251cb1bc8e320df2025-08-20T02:00:46ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases1201-97122025-03-0115210761710.1016/j.ijid.2024.107617HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of IsoflavonesMr Steven Raubenheimer0Miss Phaladi Kunyane1Dr Mamoalosi Selepe2Dr Ntombenhle Gama3Department of Biochemistry. Genetics and Microbiology, University of PretoriaDepartment of Chemistry, University of PretoriaDepartment of Chemistry, University of PretoriaDepartment of Biochemistry. Genetics and Microbiology, University of PretoriaIntroduction: Over the years, HIV has persisted as a global health challenge. Although there is availability of anti-retroviral therapy, a cure remains elusive and the development of drug resistance to current drugs necessitates the development of novel therapies. This study investigated novel isoflavones that were synthesized from methoxybezofurans, a class of compounds that have been reported to exhibit anti-HIV activity. Methods: A subtype C pseudovirus, CAP 210 was produced through the co-transfection of HEK 293 T cells with the relevant plasmids, and the isoflavones were tested for their effects on the infectivity of these viruses using the BrightGlo luciferase substrate. Time of addition (TOA) studies were performed to elucidate the potential target of these compounds. These observations were supported by in silico docking studies. The effects of the compounds on the viability of TZM-bl cells were also determined. Results: The five isoflavones inhibited the infectivity of CAP 210, a subtype C pseudovirus, with IC50 values ranging between 6.2 and 10.6 µM. These were non-toxic to TZMbl cells, making the compounds highly selective to the virus (SI values range from 4.4 to 32.3). A modified time of addition (TOA) study was performed to ascertain entry inhibition and compounds B and C were identified as entry inhibitors. In silico docking studies revealed the compounds interact with Trp 427 and Glu 370 of gp120 via hydrogen bonding. Discussion: The development of novel HIV therapy remains a necessity for the sustainable management of HIV. This study identified five isoflavones with micromolar activities against HIV. Two of the five investigated compounds were shown to be entry inhibitors. There are currently, four FDA approved entry associated inhibitors, with only one, fostemsavir being an attachment inhibitor (interacting with gp120). Conclusion: Isoflavones have good HIV inhibition potential. The further development of these compounds could ultimately contribute to the collection of entry inhibitors in clinical use.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971224006921
spellingShingle Mr Steven Raubenheimer
Miss Phaladi Kunyane
Dr Mamoalosi Selepe
Dr Ntombenhle Gama
HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
title HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones
title_full HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones
title_fullStr HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones
title_full_unstemmed HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones
title_short HIV-1 entry inhibition capabilities of Isoflavones
title_sort hiv 1 entry inhibition capabilities of isoflavones
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971224006921
work_keys_str_mv AT mrstevenraubenheimer hiv1entryinhibitioncapabilitiesofisoflavones
AT missphaladikunyane hiv1entryinhibitioncapabilitiesofisoflavones
AT drmamoalosiselepe hiv1entryinhibitioncapabilitiesofisoflavones
AT drntombenhlegama hiv1entryinhibitioncapabilitiesofisoflavones