Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Property of Thai Herbal Extract Kerra™

• Main Authors: Siriwan Saehlee (Author), Supaphorn Seetaha (Author), Wiwat Klankaew (Author), Pussadee Srathong (Author), Kiattawee Choowongkomon (Author), Khuanjarat Choengpanya (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/ph17070917; 1424-8247
• Keywords: HIV-1; reverse transcriptase; Thai herbal extract; molecular docking; Medicine; R; Pharmacy and materia medica; RS1-441
• Source: Pharmaceuticals, Vol 17, Iss 7, p 917 (2024)

Kerra™, a Thai traditional herbal medicine derived from the "Tak-Ka-Si-La Scripture" and composed of nine medicinal plants, has demonstrated potential antiviral properties against HIV. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of Kerra™ on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and its ability to prevent pseudo-HIV viral infection in HEK293 cells. The results showed that Kerra™ extract achieved a 95.73 ± 4.24% relative inhibition of HIV-1 RT, with an IC₅₀ value of 42.66 ± 8.74 µg/mL. Docking studies revealed that key phytochemicals in Kerra™, such as oleamide, formononetin, and biochanin A, interact with several residues in the RT non-nucleoside binding pocket, contributing to their inhibitory effects. Furthermore, Kerra™ was able to reduce pseudo-HIV infection in HEK293 cells at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, suggesting its potential as a supplementary treatment for HIV.