Black cohosh contains a compound Actein which exhibits anti-HIV activity. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Anti-AIDS agents. Part 57: Actein, an anti-HIV principle from the rhizome of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh), and the anti-HIV activity of related saponins.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 Mar 8;14(5):1329-32. PMID: 14980692
Natural Products Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7360, USA.
Actein (1), a tetracyclic triterpenoid from the rhizome of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh), and 82 related triterpenoid and steroidal saponins isolated from higher plants were evaluated for anti-HIV activity as a continuing study to discover potential anti-AIDS agents from natural products. Actein showed potent activity and another twelve saponins showed moderate activity. The active compounds included two steroidal, seven tetracyclic triterpenoid, and four pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds.
