Anti-HIV Activity Directed Fractionation of the Extracts of Margyricarpus Setosus

As part of our screening of anti-HIV agents from medicinal plants, the in vitro anti-HIV activity of the CHCl 3, CHCl 3 :MeOH 9:1 and MeOH extracts of the aerial parts of Margiricarpus setosus (Rosaceae) were tested. Since the MeOH extract showed significant activity, a bioassay-directed fractionation was carried out. This investigation resulted in the isolation of catechin, epicatechin, quercetin-3- O -(6"- p -coumaroyl)-s-D-glucoside, s-hydroxy-3',4'dimethoxy-phenyl-ethyl-glucoside, s-hydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyphenylethylrutinoside, s-hydroxy-phenylethyl- O -a-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 ? 6)-s-D-glucopyranoside, benzyl- O -a-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 ? 6)-s-D-glucopyranoside, 4–methoxybenzyl- O -a-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 ? 6)-s-D-glucopyranoside, tormentic acid 3s- O -s-D-quinovopyranoside, tormentic acid 3s- O -s-D-fucopyranoside and tormentic acid 3s- O -a-L-rhamnopyranoside. Two of these compounds, catechin and epicatechin, have been identified as the principles responsible for anti-HIV activity. This finding is in g...