Duabanga grandiflora or known in Malaysia as Berembang Bukit, Megawasih, or Pedada Bukit, is a native plant of the Southeast Asian countries. In this study, the anti-viral properties of D. grandiflora were investigated.
Plant-derived and semi-synthetic calanolide compounds with anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity were tested for anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activity in both cytopathic effect inhibition and plaque reduction assays. The results indicated that the anti-HCMV activity of calanolide compounds does not correlate with their activity against HIV-1. The semi-synthetic 12-keto derivatives tended to be more active against HCMV than the corresponding 12-OH congeners, which were more active against HIV-1. It appeared that the 7,8-unsaturated double bond in the chromene ring played a certain role in maintaining activities against both HCMV and HIV-1. Saturation of the double bond increased the EC50 values against both viruses, with concomitant increase in toxicity. The calanolide compounds reported here are the first non-nucleoside analogues capable of inhibiting both HIV-1 and HCMV and, therefore, may be useful chemoprophylactic agents for HCMV in HIV-infected people or vice versa.