Synergistic inhibition of HIV-1 in activated and resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and selected drug-resistant isolates with nucleoside analogues combined with a natural product, resveratrol.

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4;-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin present in grapes, wine, and certain plants, which has recently been reported to possess properties that may protect against atherosclerosis, certain cancers, and inflammation. We now report that resveratrol (RV) synergistically enhances the anti-HIV-1 activity of the nucleoside analogues zidovudine (AZT), zalcitabine (ddC), and didanosine (ddI). RV at 10 microM was not toxic to cells, and by itself reduced viral replication by 20% to 30%.