The characterization and determination of the antimicrobial, and anti-HIV reverse transcriptase activities of leguminosae (Arachis hypogaea, Dolichos biflorus, Erythrina crista-galli, and Glycine max) lectins

: Plant lectinsare a group of glycoproteins of non-immune origin. They have shown potential in disease treatment. In this study, the activities of Arachis hypogaea , Dolichos biflorus , Erythrina crista-galli , and Glycine max lectins were evaluated (using hemagglutination assays), compared, and their biological activities were examined. Blood-group specificities along with the effects of temperature and pH on lectin activities were also evaluated. The lectins‟ antibacterial and antifungal properties were tested via a disc diffusion assays. An HIV-reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT) colorimetric assay was performed to explore the antiviral properties. A . hypogaea , G. max , and E. crista-galli lectins were observed to be non-blood group specific, while D. biflorus lectin only agglutinated sheep erythrocytes. Using agglutination assay against rabbit erythrocytes, lectin activity of G. max was observed to be significantly higher than those of A. hypogaea and E. crista-galli at all pH levels, 5.2, 7.2, and 9.2. Lectin activity of G. max , A. hypogaea and E. crista-galli decreased as temperature increased from 0°C to 100°C. Although all four leguminous lectins were found to be devoid of antibacterial and antifungal activity, each lectin showed HIV-RT inhibition activity, with G. max having had the highest mean HIV-RT percent inhibition.