Hawthorn: Anti-HIV activity of newly identified flavonoids from Crataegus
Crataegus species are rich sources of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins,
including such compounds as quercetin and rutin. These polyphenolic
compounds are responsible for hawthorn's medicinal benefits. In this
study, biologically active constituents of C. sinaica, a plant
native to Egypt, were investigated. Researchers isolated three new flavonoids
which demonstrated antiviral activity against HIV. A trimeric procyanidin
showed the strongest effects. The flavonoids may exert their antiviral
effects by binding to the protein coat of the virus itself, or by inhibiting
reverse transcriptase in retroviruses like HIV.
Shahat A, Ismail S, Hammouda F, et al. Anti-HIV activity of
flavonoids and proanthocyanidins from Crataegus sinaica. Phytomedicine
1998; 5(2):133-136.
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