These classes of drugs interfere with different points in the viral life cycle, so the combination works synergistically.15 Though these combination therapies have increased survival and quality of life enormously, there are also problems associated with these

such as compliance, resistance, many interactions and serious side effects. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors act to inhibit the enzyme reverse GSK2118436 chemical structure transcriptase, thus, inhibiting the transcription of viral RNA into DNA. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors are both nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Patil et al, isolated, from the Malaysian tree Calophyllum inophyllum and also from the giant African snail Achatina fulica which feeds on its leaves, coumarin derivatives designated as inophyllums. Two of the compounds inhibited HIV-1 RT with IC50 selleck values of 38 and 130 nm respectively

and were active against HIV-1. 16 HIV-1 reverse transcriptase uses nucleotides to reverse transcribe the RNA of the virus into proviral DNA so that this proviral DNA can be inserted into the DNA of the host cell. In the cell, the nucleoside RT inhibitors are then phosphorylated into nucleotides, which are then used by reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA. When reverse transcriptase uses these faulty building blocks, the development of the DNA is terminated and cellular enzymes can destroy the virus particles. Cross resistance between the before NRTIs is possible.17 NRTIs, especially Zerit, Videx and Retrovir, are associated with lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis.18 Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors can cause hyperlactemia by disrupting the function of the mitochondria, known as mitochondrial toxicity. NRTI’s can also cause hepatic steatosis. However, NRTIs are capable of causing a wide variety of long-term side effects, including myelotoxicity, lactic acidosis, polyneuropathy and pancreatitis. Long-term side effects

are theorized to be related to mitochondrial toxicity (Brinkman et al, 1998). Fast-replicating cells may also be inhibited by NRTIs leading to blood disorders like anemia and neutropenia. Macrocytic anemia and myopathy may occur with Zidovudine and oral ulcers with Zalcitabine and Didanoside. Abacavir can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and is a contraindication for further treatment. Long-term side effects of the NRTIs are lipoatrophy.18 Nucleoside and nucleotide analogs have become the cornerstone of HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). Unfortunately, these drugs have shown to inhibit cellular polymerases, most notably mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma. Studies of the NRTIs in enzyme assays and cell cultures demonstrate the following hierarchy of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma inhibition: Zalcitabine > Didanosine > Stavudine > Lamivudine > Zidovudine > Abacavir.