POLYSACCHAROPEPTIDE FROM CORIOLUS-VERSICOLOR HAS POTENTIAL FOR USE AGAINST HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 INFECTION

Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) isolated from the edible mushroom Coriolus v ersicolor was tested for its potential as an anti-human immunodeficien cy virus type 1 (HIV-1) compound in a series of in vitro assays. It de monstrated inhibition of the interaction between HIV-1 gp120 and immob ilized CD4 receptor (IC50 = 150 mu g/ml), potent inhibition of recombi nant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (IC50 = 6.25 mu g/ml), and inhibited a glycohydrolase enzyme associated with viral glycosylation. These pro perties, coupled with its high solubility in water, heat-stability and low cytotoxicity, make it a useful compound for further studies on it s possible use as an anti-viral agent in vivo. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce Inc.