Phytoconstituents as potential anti-HIV agents: A Systematic review

Abstract

HIV/AIDS pandemic is currently the most socio-economic challenge that is facing the world at immensely colossal as it affects mostly the adolescent and economically productive population. The utilization of phytomedicines to manage HIV/AIDS has recently gained public interest, albeit harmonization with official HIV/AIDS policy remains a contentious issue in many countries. Plants products present a sizably voluminous repertoire from which to isolate novel anti-HIV active compounds. The anti-HIV active compounds such as terpenoids, coumarins, polyphenols, tannins, proteins, alkaloids, and bioflavonoids inhibit sundry steps of the HIV life cycle. However, further studies are needed to determine their interactions with current regimes of antiretroviral drugs. More clinical trials of candidate drugs developed from these novel compounds are withal inspirited. The review presents evidence that several plant families and species contain anti-HIV active compounds that could be developed into more incipient drugs to manage HIV/AIDS. This evidence should persuade further research and public interest into the isolation of anti-HIV active compounds from plants.