Anti-HIV and Antihepatotoxic Constituents from Medicinal Plant Resources

Medicinal plants were screened for the inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 pretense. Of the extracts tested, the strong inhibitory effects were observed in the acetone extracts of the pericarp of Camellia japonica. Camelliatannin H from the pericarp of C. japonica showed a potent inhibitory activity on HIV-1 pretense. Effects of the extract and compound from leaves of Zanthoxylum piperitum on the enzyme activities were investigated in the liver of bromobenzene-treated rats. The methanol extract and protocatechuic acid isolated from Z. pipetitum reduced the activity of aniline hydroxylase that increased by bromobenzene, while did not affect the activities of aminopyrin N-demethylase and glutathione S-transferase. The extract and protocatechuic acid recovered significantly the activity of epoxide hydrolase decreased by bromobenzene.