Sanan Subhadhirasakul, Pranee Rattanasuwan, and Jindaporn Puripattanavong

pp. 145 - 149

Abstract

Cassia garrettiana Craib, a Thai medicinal plant locally known as Samae-sarn, was investigated for its active constituents against HIV-1 protease (HIV-1 PR). Bioassay-guided fractionation of the heart wood of this plant led to the isolation of a stilbene derivative (1, piceatannol) and an anthraquinone derivative (2,
chrysophanol). Piceatannol exhibited appreciable inhibitory effect against HIV-1 PR with an IC₅₀ value of 25.4 µg/ml, whereas that of chrysophanol was 73.5 µg/ml. In addition, other two stilbenoids together with three anthraquinone derivatives were also investigated for their anti-HIV-1 PR activities. The result
indicated that resveratrol possessed anti-HIV-1 PR activity with an IC₅₀ value of 85.0 µg/ml, whereas other stilbenoid (oxyresveratrol) and anthraquinone derivatives (emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein) were inactive (IC₅₀ >100 µg/ml).