Anti-AIDS agents 54. A potent anti-HIV chalcone and flavonoids from genus Desmos

Sixteen flavonoids and their derivatives isolated from Desmos spp. were evaluated for inhibition of HIV replication in H9 lymphocyte cells. 2-Methoxy-3-methyl-4,6-dihydroxy-5-(3′-hydroxy)cinnamoylbenzaldehyde (12) and lawinal (6) demonstrated potent anti-HIV activity with EC50 values of 0.022 and 2.30 μg/mL and therapeutic indexes of 489 and 45.2, respectively. Compound 12 appears to be an excellent lead for further anti-HIV drug development.