Read more
Ethanolic & aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata & Shilajit were included in the present in vitro study. Pepsin was used as a substitute for HIV-protease to evaluate effect of these extracts, as pepsin has great structural and functional similarities with HIV-protease. Pepsin assay could be used for preliminary screening of natural products for probable HIV-protease inhibitory activity. The use of combination antiretroviral therapy has yielded clinical benefits for HIV-infected patients, however, it has also led to adverse metabolic effects such as diabetes & when HIV & diabetes intersect, the treatment regimens required for both diseases can be overwhelming for patients. Hence, these extracts were further evaluated for their antidiabetic effect using alpha-Amylase & alpha-Glucosidase enzymes. O. sanctum, T. cordifolia, R. mucronata & Shilajit exhibited putative HIV-protease inhibitory activitiy. Further, O. sanctum & R. mucronata strongly inhibited alpha-Glucosidase enzyme, whereas, Shilajit potently inhibited both the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes. Thus they showed antidiabetic potential also.
About the author
Dr. Anuya Aparna Rege has completed her post doctoral study at Haffkine Institute, Mumbai. She has obtained her Ph.D. in Microbiology from University of Mumbai. Her area of interests are microbiology & natural products. She has publications in reputed journals. Currently she is working as a senior scientific officer at Haffkine Institute.
