AIM: To evaluate the anti-HIV activity and mechanism of action of wikstroelide M, a daphnane diterpene from Daphne acutiloba Rehder (Thymelaeaceae).
METHOD: The anti-HIV activities of wikstroelide M against different HIV strains were evaluated by cytopathic effect assay and p24 quantification assay with ELISA. The inhibitory effect of wikstroelide M on HIV reverse transcription was analyzed by real-tithe PCR and ELISA. The effect of wikstroelide M on HIV-1 integrase nuclear translocation was observed with a cell-based imaging assay. The effect of wikstroelide M on LEDGF/p75-IN interaction was assayed by molecular docking.
RESULTS: Wikstroelide M potently inhibited different HIV-1 strains, including HIV-1(IIIB), HIV-1(A17), and HIV-1(9495), induced a cytopathic effect, with EC50 values ranging from 3.81 to 15.65 ng.mL(-1). Wikstroelide M also had high inhibitory activities against HIV-2(ROD) and HIV-2(CBL-20)-induced cytopathic effects with EC50 values of 18.88 and 31.90 ng.mL(-1). The inhibitory activities of wikstroelide M (on) the three HIV-1 strains were further confirmed by p24 quantification assay, with EC50 values ranging from 15.16 to 35.57 ng.mL(-1). Wikstroelide M also potently inhibited HIV-1(IIIB) induced cytolysis in MT-4 cells, with an EC50 value of 9.60 ng.mL(-1). The mechanistic assay showed that wikstroelide M targeted HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and nuclear translocation of integrase through disrupting the interaction between integrase and LEDGF/p75.
CONCLUSION: Wikstroelide M may be a potent HIV-1 and HIV-2 inhibitor, the mechanisms of action may include inhibition of reverse trascriptase activity and inhibition of integrase nuclear translocation through disrupting the interaction between integrase and LEDGF/p75.