Catechins containing a galloyl moiety as potential anti-HIV-1 compounds

Catechins containing galloyl moieties are important natural antioxidant compounds. In this paper, we review the multiple mechanisms whereby catechins containing a galloyl moiety can target key proteins to inhibit sexual transmission of HIV-1, as well as HIV-1 fusion, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-1 integrase and HIV-1 protease. Furthermore, catechins with a galloyl moiety can mediate host cell factors such as nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-kappa B and casein kinase II to inhibit HIV-1 infection. The most significant inhibitory effect is blocking gp120 binding to isolated human CD4(+) T cells. The multiple mechanisms underlying the anti-HIV activity of galloyl-containing catechins predict that these catechins could be used as alternative therapies in the treatment of HIV infection.