Evaluation of the Flora of Puerto Rico for In vitro Cytotoxic and Anti-HIV Activities

A total of 38 plant species belonging to 29 families were screened against HIV at the National Cancer Institute, Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center. In this assay, the virus is replicated in CEM SS cells, which are malignant cells of lymphocytic origin. It is therefore possible to measure the cytotoxicity of the extracts simultaneously, which is indicative of possible anticancer activity. Anti-HIV activity was found in eight extracts, whereas 13 extracts demonstrated cytotoxicity at an IC 50 of 25 µg/ml or less.