Isolation of efficient antivirals: genetic suppressor elements against HIV-1.

The development of general approaches for the isolation of efficient antivirals and the identification and validation of targets for drug screening are becoming increasingly important, due to the emergence of previously unrecognized viral diseases. The genetic suppressor element (GSE) technology is an approach based on the functional expression selection of efficient genetic inhibitors from random fragment libraries derived from a gene or genome of interest. We have applied this technology to isolate potent genetic inhibitors against HIV-1. Two strategies were used to select for GSEs that interfere with latent virus induction and productive HIV-1 infection based on the expression of intracellular and surface antigens. The selected GSEs clustered in seven narrowly defined regions of the HIV-1 genome and were found to be functionally active. These elements are potential candidates for the gene therapy of AIDS. The developed approaches can be applied to other viral pathogens, as well as for the identification of cellular genes supporting the HIV-1 life cycle.

[Pharmacology of calenduloside B, a new triterpene glycoside from the roots of Calendula officinalis]. / K farmakologii kalendulozidaB--novogo triterpenovogo glikozida iz kornei kalunduly lekarstvennoi.

Calendulozide B--trioside of oleanolic acid, isolated from rhizomes of Calendula officinalis, Fam. Compositae, used perorally in doses of 5, 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg exerted an antiulcerous action in 3 experimental ulcer models of different genesis (caffein-arsenic, butadion and induced by ligation of pylorus) and also displayed a certain antiphlogistic and sedative action. It did not have any effect on the cardiovascular system, the tone of intestinal smooth muscles, diuretic renal function and electrolytes excretion with urine or on the biligenic function of the liver. The drug is devoid of locally irritation properties, manifests a relatively low hemolytic activity (15000 after Kofler) and an insignificant toxicity both with its one-time and chronic administration.