Evaluation of Anti-HIV Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants: A Short Review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes the potentially life-threatening and chronic disease called acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The main target of this viral disease is to suppress the immune system and make the body unresponsive to external stimuli. According to global health observatory data since epidemic, more than 78 million people were affected by HIV and 39 million people died globally. There were approximately 37.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2018. Currently, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available for the control of HIV but has serious associated side effects such as lipodystrophy. Because of the limitations, associated with ART, researchers throughout the world are trying to explore and develop more reliable and safe drugs from natural resources to manage HIV infection. A wide range of medicinal plants have been studied and have reported significant potential against HIV. Medicinal plants contain novel anti-HIV compounds. As it has been well reported that medicinal plants contain various types of phytochemical constituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, tannins, and saponins, hence the medicinal plants could be potential sources of boosting immune responses, as well as halting the replication of HIV. A literature survey of medicinal plants from PubMed and plant literature database, was carried out to identify the plants with novel antiviral agents reported for the treatment of HIV/AIDS worldwide. Bioactive compounds from plants which play effective roles in the management of AIDS, which have been discussed in this review study. This could pave way for being taken up for active future in vitro and preclinical research studies to qualify as lead anti HIV molecules which is the need of the hour.