In vitro anti-HIV activity of ethanol extract from gandarusa (Justicia gendarussa Burm. f) leaves

Anti retroviral drugs for HIV has problems with uncomfortable side effects and that endanger the lives of HIV sufferers. Several herbs have been empirically proven to have an effect on HIV eradication through inhibition of reverse transcriptase. One of such antiviral herbs is Justicia gendarussa (J. gendarussa). The aim of research is to evaluate anti-HIV activity of 70% fractionated-ethanol extract (with releasing alkaloids) and 70% ethanol extract (without releasing alkaloids) of J. gendarussa leaves on in vitro HIV-infected of MOLT-4 cells. The effect of the extracts in inhibiting viral replication and fusion process on acute HIV infection was identified through syncytia formation assay. Effect of the extracts on HIV p24 antigen was evaluated using HIV-1 p24 ELISA kit. It was found that 70% fractionated-ethanol extract and 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves significantly inhibited of HIV replication by inhibition of syncytia formation, where the 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of the 70% fractionated-ethanol extract and 70% ethanol extract are 70.5 µg/mL and 228.7 µg/mL, respectively. Both of the extracts were also significantly inhibited HIV replication by decreasing HIV p24 antigen level where the EC 50 values of the 70% fractionated-ethanol extract and 70% ethanol extract are 88.8 µg/mL and 540.7 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, it was found that 70% fractionated-ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves has anti-HIV activity since its EC50 values less than 100 µg/mL. It was concluded that J. gendarussa could be potentially developed into a phyto-pharmaceutical product due to its anti-HIV activity.