Ex vivo and in vivo HIV-1 latency reversal by Mukungulu, a protein kinase C-activating African medicinal plant extract

Current HIV latency reversing agents (LRAs) have had limited success in clinic, indicating the need for new strategies that can reactivate and/or eliminate HIV reservoirs. Mukungulu, prepared from the bark of Croton megalobotrys Mull. Arg., is traditionally used for HIV/AIDS management in Northern Botswana despite containing an abundance of protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol esters (namushens). Here we show that Mukungulu is tolerated in mice at up to 12.5 mg/kg while potently reversing latency in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-suppressed HIV-infected humanized mice at 5 mg/kg. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and isolated CD4+ T-cells from ART-suppressed people living with HIV-1, 1 microg/mL Mukungulu reverses latency on par with or superior to anti-CD3/CD28 positive control, as measured by HIV gag-p24 protein expression, where the magnitude of HIV reactivation in PBMC corresponds to intact proviral burden levels in CD4+ T-cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation identifies 5 namushen phorbol ester compounds that reactivate HIV expression, yet namushens alone do not match Mukungulu activity, suggesting additional enhancing factors. Together, these results identify Mukungulu as a robust natural LRA which may warrant inclusion in future LRA-based HIV cure and ART-free remission efforts.