Can Herbal Therapies Increase Immune Function in HIV/AIDS Patients?

There may be no cure yet for Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome but the African Researchers are identifying more local plants that can take effective cure on the infections and boost the immune function of the patients.

More studies are supporting the use of herbal therapies to boost a measure of the immune system function in people living with Human Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Top on the list of local herbs that have shown great promise in boosting the immune system are the NEEM tree (Dongoyaro or Azadiratcha indica), Aloe vera, Sweet basil or Scent Leaf, Garlic, Ginger, Lemon, Lemon Grass, and Cloves.

According to a study published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the extract of NEEM showed anti-retroviral activity and may help in the development of novel antiretroviral and anti-malaria drugs.

The researchers evaluated an acetone-water NEEM leaf extract with anti-malaria activity in vitro at 5 micro gramme/millilitre (g/ml) for inhibition of adhesion of malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes and cancer cells to endothelial cells, and at 10 g/ml for protection of lymphocytes against invasion by HIV.

The researchers wrote, “the extract was also evaluated in 10 patients with HIV/AIDS at 1000 mg daily for 30 days. 

The mean binding of infected erythrocytes (red blood cells) and cancer cells per endothelial cell was 15 and 11 respectively in with the extract. The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels”.

“In the absence and presence of the extract, zero per cent and 75 per cent, respectively, of lymphocytes (white blood cells) were protected. 

In the treated patients, haemoglobin concentration, mean CD4+ cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which were initially 9.8g/dl, 126 cells/1 and 90mm/h respectively, improved to 12.1g/dl, 241 cells/1 and 49mm/h. 

Haemoglobin is the iron containing protein attached to the red blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. 

Mean body weight and platelet count, initially 57kg and 328*103/mm3 respectively, increased to 60kg and 359*103/mm3. Platelets help the blood clot.

“No adverse effects were observed during the study. The extract showed antiretroviral activity with a mechanism of action that may involve inhibition of cytoadhesion. 

The results may help in the development of novel antiretroviral and anti-malaria drugs.”

Nigerian researchers have also found that fractionated NEEM leaf extract is safe and increases CD4 cell levels in HIV/AIDS patients.

African researchers have also confirmed that lemon juice and lemon grass were more effective in treating oral thrush (candidiasis) than gentian violet.

The study titled: “Treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients with lemon juice and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and gentian violet” was published in phytomedicine by researchers at Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Tshwane University of Technology, and Staatsartillerie Road, Pretoria West, South Africa.

The researchers investigated the safety and efficacy of lemon juice and lemon grass in the treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients when compared with the control group using gentian violet aqueous solution 0.5 per cent.

Oral thrush is a frequent complication of HIV infection. In the Moretele Hospice, due to financial constraints, the treatment routinely given to patients with oral thrush is either lemon juice directly into the mouth or a lemon grass infusion made from lemon grass grown and dried at the Hospice. 

These two remedies have been found to be very efficacious therefore are used extensively. Gentian violet, the first line medication for oral thrush in South

Africa, is not preferred by the primary health clinic patients due to the visible purple stain, which leads them to been stigmatised as HIV positive. 

The study designed was a randomised controlled trial. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: gentian violet, lemon juice or lemon grass. Inclusion criteria included being HIV positive with a diagnosis of oral thrush. 

According to a study published in Treatment Update, researchers are focusing on an extract of garlic called ajoene, which also appears to protect CD4 cells from attack by HIV early in the viral life cycle. 

At low concentrations, the drugs appear to have little toxicity, and its anti-HIV activity is 45 times more powerful than the drug dextran sulphate. Ajoene is found only in fresh garlic and it’s not readily available. 

A researcher found that garlic impairs the activity of the liver enzymes that processes protease inhibitors and raises the protease inhibitors level.

A manual on nutritional care and support for people living with |HIV /AIDS has validated this study. The manual entitled living well with HIV/AIDS was developed by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The manual reads: “Aloe helps to relieve constipation. Boil and drink the concentrated water. To be used in limited amounts; stop immediately if it causes cramps or diarrhoea. Basil helps to relieve nausea and aid digestion problems. 

Use as gargle for mouth sores. Cayenne stimulates appetite, helps fight infection, heal ulcers and intestinal inflammation. Add a pinch to cooked or raw foods. 

For an energizing drink add to fruit juice or water. Cloves stimulate appetite; help weak digestion, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting use in soups, stews, warmed fruit juice and tea.

Garlic has anti-bacterial, antiviral and antifungal function particularly in the gut, intestines, lungs and vagina. Helps digestion and feeling of weakness. Also good for thrush, throat infections, herpes and diarrhoea. Prepare tea or energy drink, or use in food.

Ginger improves digestion, energises, relieves diarrhoea, and stimulates appetite. Used for treating common colds, flu and nausea, used either as a spice in meals to prepare a ginger tea. Lemon is anti-bacterial and helps digestion. 

Add lemon juice to food or drinks. Lemon grass has a calming effects as well as soothing digestion and alleviating stress. Use as tea.

Turmeric/yellow root is a digestive aid, antiseptic and antioxidant. Use powdered in rice, cereals, etc.

“Thyme has antiseptic and antifungal function. Relaxes nervous coughing and increases mucosal secretions (particularly effective in the gut). 

Stimulates digestion and the growth of the good intestinal floral in the gut. Use as gargle or mouthwash, as a vaginal douche or as tea. NEEM brings down fever. 

Cut a fresh twig, remove the leaves and boil the bark in water; drink as tea. The back can also be chewed.”