Polysaccharopeptide from the Turkey Tail Fungus Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transciptase and Protease

ABSTRACT

Polysaccharopeptide from the Turkey Tail fungus Trametes (=Coriolus) versicolor has been reported to possess a number of important attributes including anticancer, immunomodulatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective activities. In this investigation, it is shown that the polysaccharopeptide is capable of inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase and protease, the two enzymes of paramount importance to the life cycle of the HIV. The polysaccharopeptide inhibits other proteases including trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, proteinase K, subtilisin, and elastase to a smaller extent. The anti-HIV enzyme and immunostimulatory activities of the mushroom polysaccharopeptide make it a potential candidate for the therapy of AIDS.