Anti-HIV-1 activity of phenolic compounds isolated from Diospyros lotus fruits

Phenolic compounds represent an important natural source of antiretrovirals for AIDS therapy due to their significant anti-HIV-1 activity and low toxicity. In our search for potent anti-HIV-1 agents from plants, phenolic compounds isolated from methanol (70%) extract of Diospyros lotus fruits were tested for anti-HIV-1 activity. Seven compounds, ellagic acid, methyl gallate, gallic acid, myricetin-3-O-β-glucuronide, myricetin-3-O-α-rhamnoside, myricetin and quercetin were identified by different spectroscopic methods (UV, 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR and MS). Gallic acid was the most active compound against HIV-1 with Therapeutic Index (TI) value of >32.84 and the other compounds were less potent active. Diospyros lotus fruits could provide a chemical reservoir of anti-HIV agents.