FLAVONOIDS FROM ECLIPTA ALBA INHIBIT HIV-1 REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE: AN IN VITRO STUDY

ABSTRACT HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a crucial enzyme in the replication cycle of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), making it a primary target for antiretroviral therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory potential of Eclipta alba-derived flavonoids against HIV-1 RT through an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay. Flavonoids from Eclipta alba were investigated for their inhibitory potential against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) using an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay. Flavonoid-rich fractions were isolated through solvent partitioning and characterized using spectroscopic techniques. The inhibitory effects of the flavonoid extract were assessed at concentrations ranging from 10 to 200 µM and compared with the reference drug Efavirenz. Results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in HIV-1 RT inhibition, with flavonoids exhibiting superior activity compared to Efavirenz at all tested concentrations. At 200 µM, the flavonoid fraction achieved 89.7% inhibition, significantly higher than the 76.8% inhibition observed with Efavirenz (p < 0.05). The enhanced antiviral efficacy may be attributed to synergistic interactions among the bioactive flavonoid compounds. These findings suggest that Eclipta alba-derived flavonoids could serve as promising candidates for HIV-1 therapy. Further studies are warranted to elucidate their mechanism of action, optimize bioavailability, and evaluate their in vivo potential for antiretroviral applications.