Daphne pseudomezereum contains compounds that inhibit HIV

A research team led by Professor Wei Li at Toho University in Japan has made an important discovery regarding a plant known as Daphne pseudomezereum, or Onishibari. They found that this plant contains compounds that can inhibit the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This is the first time that active substances against HIV have been identified in D. pseudomezereum. The plants were cultivated in the university's Medicinal Plant Garden. Researchers believe this discovery could help develop new drugs with better effectiveness against HIV. The findings were published on December 16, 2024, in the scientific journal Phytochemistry. The study focused on isolating daphnane diterpenoids from the fruit of D. pseudomezereum, a shrub found in Japan, China, and Korea. This plant has traditional uses in treating chronic skin diseases and rheumatism, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. During their research, the team isolated ten daphnane diterpenoids, including three new compounds. Among these, three showed strong anti-HIV activity. Their effectiveness was demonstrated at very low concentrations, while also showing low levels of toxicity. Overall, this research highlights the potential of daphnane diterpenoids for developing new therapies against HIV. It also sets the stage for further studies on enhancing their effects through chemical modifications.