Flavonoids reverse transcriptase inhibition

Selected naturally occurring flavonoids have been shown to inhibit three reverse transcriptases (RT) (avian myeloblastosis RT, Rous-associated virus-2 RT, and Moloney murine leukemia virus, or MMLV, RT) when poly(rA)oligo(dT) 12-18 or rabbit globin mRNA was used as a template. Amentoflavone, scutellarein, and quercetin were the most active compounds, and their effect was concentration dependent. The enzymes exhibited differential sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of the flavonoids. These flavonoids also inhibited rabbit globin mRNA-directed MMLV RT-catalyzed... 

Flavonoids Inhibition of virus adsorption by flavonoids such as (-) epicatechin and its 3-0-gallate has been attributed to an irreversible interaction with gpl20 (although these compounds are also known as reverse transcriptase inhibitors). 

Flavonoids are used in treatment of many diseases, mainly because of their capability to inhibit many harmful strains of bacteria and enzymes (proteases, reverse transcriptase), to stimulate hormones and neurotransmitters, and to capture free radicals (Havsteen 2002). There are reports confirming that supplementation of diet with an antioxidant (a-tocopherol), by increasing the concentration of the antioxidant in blood, can reduce the titer of antibodies in hypercholesterolemia (Table 2.2.4). 

Ono K, Nakane H, Fukushima M, Chermann JC, Barre-Sinoussi F (1989) Inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity by a flavonoid compound, 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 160 982-987... 

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