Herbal medicine Catuama induces endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant action on isolated vessels from rats,guinea-pigs and rabbits

The present study was designed to examine the vasorelaxant action of the herbal medicine Catuama and the hydroalcoholic extracts (HE) of each plant present in this product and to compare their effects with that caused by acetylcholine (ACh) in intact (⁺E) or in endothelium-rubbed (⁻E) rings of rat thoracic aorta (RA), guinea-pig pulmonary artery (GPPA), guinea-pig mesenteric artery (GPMA), rabbit pulmonary artery (RPA), rabbit mesenteric artery (RMA) precontracted with noradrenaline (NA) or phenylephrine (PE). The extract of Catuama (1-3000 μg/mL) produced graded relaxation of RA, ⁺E or ⁻E, with mean EC₅₀ of 430 μg/mL and ≊ 3000 μg/mL and E_max of 81 % ± 15 % and 47% ± 4 %, respectively. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N^ω-nitro-L -arginine (L -NOARG, 100 μM ), inhibited in vasorelaxant action (p < 0.05) in RA (⁺E), while indomethacin (3 μM ), propranolol (1 μM ), glibenclamide (1 μM ), methylene blue (10 μM ) and apamin (0.1 μM ) had no significant effect. ACh (1-1000 μM ) caused graded relaxation in RA with ⁺E, these effects being markedly antagonized by L -NOARG (100 μM ), methylene blue (10 μM ) and partially by apamin (0.1 μM ), but not by indomethacin (3 μM ), glibenclamide (1 μM ) or propranolol (1 μM ). The Catuama extract (1-3000 μg/mL) produces partial relaxations in rings of RMA (mean EC₅₀ of 1073 μg7/ml and E_max of 56 % ± 13 %), an effect which was antagonized by L -NOARG (100 μM ). In RPA (⁺E) the extract produces partial relaxation followed by contraction (E_max 28 % ± 6 %), an effect which was abolished by L -NOARG (100 μM ) or methylene blue (10 μM ). The extract caused graded relaxation in rings of GPPA and GPMA with mean EC₅₀ values of 60 μg/mL and 1148 μg/mL and E_max 96% ± 2% and 88% ± 12%, respectively. L -NOARG (100 μM ) blocked the Catuama extract vasorelaxation in GPPA and only partially in GPMA, but markedly antagonized the vasorelaxations caused by ACh in both GPPA andRMA. The HE Paullinea cupana, Zinziber officinalis and Trichilia catigua (1-3000 μg/mL) caused a graded vasorelaxant effect ⁺E of RA with a mean EC₅₀ of 22, 55 and 1793 μg/mL and E_max 100%, 86% ± 7% 70% ± 2%, respectively. In addition the HE of P. cupana also caused graded relaxation in ⁻E of RA with EC₅₀ and E_max of 233 μg/mL and 100%, respectively, while T. catigua and Z. officinalis produced partial relaxation in RA ⁺E. In contrast the HE of Ptychopetalum olacoides caused little contraction (46% ± 14%). These results demonstrate that the medicinal herb Catuama produces significant vasorelaxation responses in vessels from different animal species, and show that its effects are in great part dependent on the release of NO or NO-derived substances. Our results also demonstrate that the vasorelaxant action of the product Catuama seems to be due to the action of the active principles present mainly in P. cupana; T. catigua and, to a lesser extent, in Z. officinalis. Such results may contribute to the explanation of its beneficial effect of Catuama herbal medicine in the management of cardiovascular disturbances. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extracts of Bolivian plants,Copaifera reticulata and Heisteria pallida inhibit in vitro free radical-mediated DNA damage

The presence of different extracts of antiinflammatory plants Copaifera reticulata and Heisteria pallida in a reaction medium containing calf thymus DNA in a free radical generating system protected DNA against oxidative damage in terms of deoxyribose oxidation. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained using the methanol extract of C. reticulata (IC₅₀=3 μg/mL), followed by the aqueous extracts of H. pallida (IC₅₀=257 μg/mL) and C. reticulata (IC₅₀=380 μg/mL). Both dichloromethane extracts and the methanol extract of H. pallida showed a decreased antioxidant activity at higher concentrations. These results suggest that these extracts are capable of suppressing the in vitro oxidative degradation of DNA. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective modulatory effects of the essential oil of Croton zehntneri on isolated smooth muscle preparations of the guinea-pig

The effects of the essential oil of the plant Croton zehntneri (EOCz) in the concentration range 1–200 μg/mL were studied on the mechanical activity of various in vitro smooth muscle preparations of the guinea-pig. In isolated ileum EOCz induced a variable response such that in 57% of tissues basal tone was reduced (EC₅₀ 5 μg/mL) whereas the rest remained unaffected by the oil. In concentrations above 10 μg/mL EOCz induced spontaneous oscillatory contractions in all preparations. In contrast the basal tone of the aorta, portal vein and bladder remained unaltered by the oil. In the portal vein EOCz concentration-dependently inhibited the amplitude of spontaneous contractions (IC₅₀ 109 μg/mL) without reducing frequency, whereas in the bladder such activity was increased by the oil (EC₅₀ 44 μg/mL). In ileum precontracted with 60 mM KCl, EOCz induced a complete and concentration-dependent relaxation with an IC₅₀ value of approximately 26 μg/mL. In contrast EOCz did not relax KCl-induced tone in the aorta or bladder, whilst eliciting less than 20% relaxation of the precontracted portal vein. Thus our data show that EOCz exerts differential modulatory effects on the contractility of various smooth muscles of the guinea-pig. That EOCz appears to selectively relax intestinal smooth muscle may support its use in folk medicine as a gastrointestinal antispasmodic. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inhibition of Histamine-induced Contraction of Rat Ileum by Promethazine and the Methanol Stembark Extract of Erythrina sigmoidea (Hua)

Histamine, a potent H₁ and H₂ receptor agonist provoked dose dependent contractions of the rat ileal strip. The contractile effect was reduced by almost 54.6% when challenged with 1.8 μg/mL of the stembark extract of Erythrina sigmoidea (ES) while 4.8 μg/mL of the plant extract completely abolished 10⁻⁴ Msc histamine-induced contraction. A similar relaxant effect was obtained with 0.5 μg/mL promethazine, a potent H₁ blocker, but this relaxant effect was less significant compared with that of the plant extract.     

Antioxidant activity of yellow dock (Rumex crispus L., Polygonaceae) fruit extract

The methanol extract of ripe Rumex crispus L. fruits was evaluated for its antioxidant potential by assays for ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), DPPH‐free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and the influence on lipid peroxidation in liposomes (LP). Considerable activity was observed in all test systems (FRAP: 9.9 mmol Fe²⁺/g; DPPH IC₅₀: 3.7 μg/mL; LP IC₅₀: 4.9 μg/mL), comparable to that of BHT (FRAP: 8.0 μg/mL; DPPH IC₅₀: 19.4 μg/mL; LP IC₅₀: 3.5 μg/mL), but lower than the activity of ascorbic acid, rutin and quercetin, used as positive control substances. The in vivo effects were evaluated in several hepatic antioxidant systems (activities of LPx, GSH‐Px, Px, CAT and XOD, as well as GSH content), after treatment with the studied yellow dock extract in different doses, or in combination with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Pretreatment with the R. crispus extract inhibited CCl₄‐induced oxidative stress by decreasing LPx and increasing GSH content in a dose dependent manner, bringing the levels of antioxidant enzymes to near control values. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiviral activity of chilean medicinal plant extracts

Chilean flora is a potential source of bioactive compounds, including some with antiviral activity. Ninety aqueous and hydroaloholic extracts from 36 native and introduced plant species were screened for antiviral activity on herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and HIV viruses. Furthermore, the samples were assayed for antimicrobial effect on pathogenic bacteria and a yeast. Plants were selected according to their indication of use for treating symptomatology of possible viral aetiology in Chilean folk medicine. The hydroaloholic extracts of Cassia stipulacea and Escallonia illintia exhibited detectable antiviral effects towards HSV-1 with IC₅₀ values of 80 and 40 μg crude extract/mL, respectively. Samples belonging to Aristotelia chilensis (IC₅₀ of 40 μg/mL), Drymis winteri (IC₅₀ values of 35 and 80μg/mL), Elytropus chilensis and Luma apiculata, with an IC₅₀ value of 100 μg/mL showed activity against HSV-2. None of the extracts showed activity against HIV at extract concentrations which were nontoxic for cells.     

Compounds with tyrosinase inhibition, elastase inhibition and DPPH radical scavenging activities from the branches of Distylium racemosum Sieb. et Zucc

Twenty compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Distylium racemosum branches and their inhibitory activities on tyrosinase, elastase and free radicals evaluated. The isolated compounds were identified as dibenzofurans (1–4), abscisic acid (5), 6′‐O‐galloylsalidroside (6), catechin derivatives (7–11), gallic acid derivatives (12–14), tyrosol (15), flavonoids (16–18), lupeol (19) and 1,2,3,6‐tetragalloylglucose (20). For study of tyrosinase inhibition activities, when compared with arbutin (IC₅₀ 48.8 μg/mL), four compounds (8, 11, 13, 17) showed higher activities, with IC₅₀ values of 4.8, 30.2, 40.5 and 37.7 μg/mL, respectively. For the elastase inhibition test, dibenzofuran 1 showed greater activity than the positive control, oleanolic acid (IC₅₀ 9.7 μg/mL), with an IC₅₀ of 7.7 μg/mL. In the studies on DPPH radical scavenging activities, five compounds (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) showed higher activities than ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ 5.0 μg/mL), with IC₅₀ values of 4.6, 3.9, 2.9, 3.8 and 4.7 μg/mL, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intestinal myorelaxant and antispasmodic effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius and its constituents cineole,methyl-eugenol and terpineol

The effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN), a medicinal plant from the north-east of Brazil, and its constituents cineole, methyl-eugenol and terpineol, were studied on intestinal motility in vivo and on in vitro mechanical activity of intestinal smooth muscle. In mice, EOCN (10–100 mg/kg body weight, intragastrically) increased the intestinal transit of charcoal marker delivered to the stomach. This was also observed in animals pretreated with castor oil. In segments of guinea-pig ileum and cardial, pyloral and ileo-caecal sphincters, EOCN preferentially decreased basal tonus compared with the amplitude of spontaneous contractions with EC₅₀ values in the range 0.9 – 16 and 8 – 150 μg/mL respectively. In ileum, EOCN, cineole, methyl-eugenol and terpineol decreased tonus with EC₅₀ values of 16, 322, 9 and 71 μg/mL, respectively, and blocked 60 mM [K⁺]-induced contraction with IC₅₀ values of 18, 419, 12 and 95 μg/mL. The data show that EOCN possesses myorelaxant and antispasmodic properties in vitro, consistent with the use of Croton nepetaefolius in folk medicine as an intestinal antispasmodic. EOCN-induced stimulation of intestinal transit in vivo appears consistent with its in vitro effects, since a preferential decrease in tonus may reduce luminal resistance to bulk flow of intestinal contents. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Traditional Medicine Spilanthes acmella,and the Alkylamides Spilanthol and Undeca‐2E‐ene‐8,10‐diynoic Acid Isobutylamide,Demonstrate In Vitro and In Vivo Antimalarial Activity

Spilanthes spp. are used as traditional herbal medicines in Africa and India to treat malaria. Yet, to date, there are no data on the active constituents or the most effective extraction methods for this indication. The isolated alkylamides, spilanthol and undeca‐2E‐ene‐8,10‐diynoic acid isobutylamide, found in S. acmella Murr., were shown to have IC₅₀s of 16.5 μg/mL and 41.4 μg/mL on Plasmodium falciparum strain PFB and IC₅₀s of 5.8 μg/mL and 16.3 μg/mL for the chloroquine resistant P. falciparum K1 strain, respectively. Further investigations revealed that at relatively low concentrations, spilanthol and the water extract of S. acmella reduced the parasitemia 59% and 53% in mice infected with P. yoelii yoelii 17XNL at 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Unexpectedly, the 95% ethanol extract of S. acmella was less effective (36% reduction in parasitemia) at 50 mg/kg. These results provide the first evidence supporting S. acmella against malaria and demonstrating active constituents in S. acmella against P. falciparum. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antihyperlipidemic Components of Cassia auriculata Aerial Parts: Identification Through In Vitro Studies

Cassia auriculata (Caesalpiniaceae) is a common Asian beverage and medicinal plant widely used in tradition medicine for diabetes, hyperlipidemia and various other disease conditions. Previous studies on crude extracts of C. auriculata have documented the scientific basis for some of its traditional medicinal uses. The present study investigates the antilipase activity of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts along with the previously isolated compounds (kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside, rutin, kaempferol, quercetin and luteolin). The crude extract displayed inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase with IC₅₀ of 6.0 ± 1.0 µg/mL. The most active antilipase compound was kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside with IC₅₀ value (2.9 ± 0.50 μM) only about twice weaker than the standard antilipase drug, orlistat (IC₅₀ = 1.45 ± 0.26 μM). Luteolin, quercetin and rutin were found to be weak pancreatic lipase inhibitors (IC₅₀ over 100 μM), whereas kaempferol showed no activity up to 250 μM. The antihyperlipidemic effect of C. auriculata could be attributed to direct lipase inhibitory effect of the plant constituents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radical scavenging and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities of standardized extracts of Ficus racemosa stem bark

The present study evaluated the radical scavenging and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of cold and hot aqueous extracts of Ficus racemosa (Moraceae) stem bark. The extracts were standardized using HPLC. Radical scavenging activity was determined using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity using rabbit lung and partially purified porcine kidney ACE. HPLC profiles of cold aqueous extract (FRC) showed the presence of bergenin, an isocoumarin, while hot aqueous extract (FRH) was found to contain ferulic acid, kaempferol and coumarin in addition to bergenin. FRH showed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) radical scavenging activity than FRC and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), consequently resulting in a significantly lower (p ≤ 0.01) IC₅₀ value than FRC and BHT. Both the extracts exhibited a dose dependent inhibition of porcine kidney and rabbit lung ACE. FRH showed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) activity than FRC with lower IC₅₀ values of 1.36 and 1.91 μg/mL respectively, for porcine kidney and rabbit lung ACE, compared with those of FRC (128 and 291 μg/mL). Further, a significant correlation (r = 0.893; p ≤ 0.05) was observed between radical scavenging activity and ACE‐inhibitory activity. This is the first report on the ACE‐inhibitory activity of F. racemosa stem bark suggesting its potential to be utilized as a therapeutic alternative for hypertension. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

藤梨根甲醇提取物的抗氧化活性及物质基础初步研究

目的研究藤梨根甲醇提取物的抗氧化活性,并初步分析其活性化学成分。方法以清除1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)和2,2-联氮-二-(3-乙基-苯并噻唑-6-磺酸)二铵盐(ABTS)自由基能力为指标,测定藤梨根甲醇提取物的体外抗氧化活性;采用高效液相色谱-质谱联用技术对藤梨根甲醇提取物化学成分进行分析。结果藤梨根甲醇提取物对DPPH、ABTS自由基具有良好的清除作用,半数有效浓度(EC50)分别为(26.275±1.464)mg/mL和(29.826±1.309)mg/mL;通过紫外光谱和质谱分析,初步鉴定了19个化学成分。结论藤梨根甲醇提取物具有很好的体外抗氧化活性,其主要活性成分为多羟基和不饱和双键的成分。     

Medicinal and edible lignicolous fungi as natural sources of antioxidative and antibacterial agents

The antioxidant activity of organic extracts of eight fungal species, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum, Meripilus giganteus, Laetiporus sulphureus, Flammulina velutipes, Coriolus versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus and Panus tigrinus, was evaluated for free radical (DPPH^· and OH^·) scavenging capacity and an effect on lipid peroxidation, and the antibacterial activity was tested by the agar well diffusion method. The highest DPPH^· scavenging activity was found in the methanol extract of G. applanatum (12.5 μg/mL, 82.80%) and the chloroform extract of G. lucidum (510.2 μg/mL, 69.12%). The same extracts also showed the highest LP inhibition (91.83%, 85.09%) at 500 μg/mL, while the methanol extracts of G. applanatum and L. sulphureus showed the highest scavenging effect on OH^· radicals (68.47%, 57.06%, respectively) at 400 μg/mL. A strong antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria was also manifested. The antioxidative potencies correlated generally with the total phenol content (0.19–9.98 mg/g). The HPLC determination showed that the majority of analysed species contained gallic and protocatechic acids. Consequently, these fungi are shown to be potential sources of antioxidative and antibacterial agents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tanacetum vulgare: antiherpes virus activity of crude extract and the purified compound parthenolide

The present study demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract and the isolated compound, parthenolide, from aerial parts of Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae), protected Vero cells from herpes simplex virus (HSV‐1) infection in vitro. The extract and parthenolide were assayed against HSV‐1 by the sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay and exhibited anti‐HSV‐1 activity with an EC₅₀ of 40 µg/mL and 0.3 µg/mL, respectively. In order to determine which stage of the virus–cell interaction was affected by parthenolide, the pure compound was used. No effect was observed when both viruses and cells were pretreated, or during early stages of infection, suggesting that parthenolide interfered with virus replication after the penetration stage, inhibiting approximately 40% of plaques formed at a concentration of 2.5 µg/mL when compared with an untreated control. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis and lipid peroxidation in biological models by the extract of Cassia fistula

The methanol extract obtained from the fruits of Cassia fistula L. inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase catalysed formation of leukotriene B₄ in bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes with an IC₅₀ value of 38 μg/mL. Also, lipid peroxidation in bovine brain phospholipid liposomes induced with 2,2′-azo-bis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was inhibited with an IC₅₀ value of 40 μg/mL. A linear correlation was obtained between the effects of the extract in the two kinds of assays suggesting a redox-based mechanism for the inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tanzanian medicinal plants used traditionally for the treatment of malaria: In vivo antimalarial and in vitro cytotoxic activities

Seventeen fractions of extracts obtained from 11 Tanzanian medicinal plants, which had previously been shown to possess a high antimalarial activity in vitro were submitted to the 4-day suppressive test in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice, and were investigated for cytotoxic activity in human carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Several fractions administered orally to the mice (500 mg/kg body weight/day) produced a significant reduction of parasitaemia. The most effective plant fractions investigated were those of the root and stem bark of Maytenus senegalensis (90% and 63% suppression of parasitaemia, respectively) and of the roots of Cissampelos mucronata (59% suppression). Highest cytotoxic activities were found with all fractions of Maytenus senegalensis (IC₅₀ 1 μg/mL) and with the PE fraction of the roots of Salacia madagascariensis (median IC₅₀=1.2 μg/mL for HT 29 and 2.3 μg/mL for KB).     

Screening of medicinal plants from Iranian traditional medicine for acetylcholinesterase inhibition

To find new herbal compounds with an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effect, this study focused on herbal drugs and resins which have been used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of cognitive disorders. Forty drugs were selected from authoritative written documents of Iranian traditional medicine. Each drug was extracted by accelerated solvent extraction using dichloromethane followed by methanol. The 80 extracts were screened for AChE inhibitory activity by a TLC bioautography method. The inhibiting effect of the 32 most active extracts was measured by a microplate colorimetric assay. Due to the best activity, the seeds of Peganum harmala L. were investigated in detail. From the TLC bioautography assay the alkaloids harmaline and harmine were identified as active compounds. This result was confirmed by means of HPLC‐DAD. The IC₅₀ values were 41.2 μg/mL for the methanol extract, 95.5 μg/mL for the dichloromethane extract, 8.4 μg/mL for harmaline and 10.9 μg/mL for harmine. The concentrations of active compounds in the extracts were determined by a fast and precise HPLC method. As the amounts of harmaline and harmine in the extracts were correlated with the IC₅₀ values of the extracts, it can be concluded that these two alkaloids are responsible for the AChE inhibitory activity of P. harmala. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evodiamine inhibits 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced activator protein 1 transactivation and cell transformation in human hepatocytes

Evodia rutaecarpa has been used to treat inflammatory digestive disorders in Asian countries. However, little is known about the antitumor activities of E. rutaecarpa and its bioactive constituent evodiamine (EVO). The aim of this study was to characterize the antitumor mechanisms of E. rutaecarpa and EVO in human hepatocytes. Human Chang liver cells were transfected with activator protein 1 (AP‐1)‐luciferase reporter gene and designated as Chang/AP‐1 cells. The Chang/AP‐1 cells were treated with E. rutaecarpa and its bioactive constituents, and challenged with the AP‐1 stimulator 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐ acetate (TPA). The present study showed that the methanol extract of E. rutaecarpa decreased the TPA‐induced AP‐1 transactivation in Chang/AP‐1 cells, with an EC₅₀ value of 24.72 μg/mL. EVO inhibited the TPA‐induced AP‐1 transactivation and colony formation, with EC₅₀ values of 82 μm and 8.2 μm , respectively. Moreover, EVO significantly diminished the TPA‐induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERKs). These results suggested that EVO treatment suppressed the TPA‐induced AP‐1 activity via the ERKs pathway. In conclusion, EVO inhibited the AP‐1 activity and cellular transformation in human hepatocytes, suggesting that EVO was a potential agent for antitumor therapy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antifilarial activity of Argyria speciosa against Setaria cervi in vitro

The effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Argyria speciosa on the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and a nerve/muscle preparation of Setaria cervi, and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro, was studied. Both extracts caused the inhibition of spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the nerve/muscle preparation of S. cervi, characterized by decrease in tone, amplitude and rate of contractions. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of the whole worm preparation was 150 μg/mL for the aqueous, and 75 μg/mL for the alcoholic extract. The concentration of A. speciosa extract required to produce an equivalent effect on the nerve/muscle preparation was 25 μg/mL for aqueous, and 50 ng/mL for the alcoholic extract.     

Screening of Indonesian plant extracts for anti-human immunodeficiency virus—type 1 (HIV-1) activity

Of 30 Indonesian plant extracts tested for their human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) inhibitory activities, six were shown to be effective by assays using HIV-1-infected MT-4 cells: a methanol extract of mahoni (bark of Swietenia mahagoni) and water extracts of benalu teh (stems and branches of Loranthus parasiticus), kiules (fruit of Helicteres isora), supratul (fruits of Sindora sumatrana), sambiloto (leaves of Andrographis paniculata) and temu ireng (rhizoma of Curcuma aeruginosa). Their ED₅₀ values ranged from 4.2 to 175 μg/mL. The samples also suppressed the formation of syncytia in co-cultures of MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/HIV-1 cells. The most potent inhibitor was a methanol extract of mahoni, which also showed a significant inhibition of HIV-1 protease.