Hypocrellin, from Hypocrella bambuase, is phototoxic to human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Hypocrellin, a photodynamic perylene quinonoid isolated from the Chinese medicinal fungus Hypocrella bambuase, was evaluated for antiviral activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Hypocrellin was phototoxic to HIV-1, almost as good as the structurally similar plant pigment hypericin, and like hypericin its activity required visible light. In contrast peroxyhypocrellin had little or no effect on the virus.