Abstract
Objectives:To assess the safety and efficacy of TCE in human immuno-deficiency virus positive patients.Materials and Methods:Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia extract (TCE) in HIV positive patients was assessed in randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. 68 HIV positive participants were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either TCE or placebo for six months. After clinical examination TLC, DLC, ESR, platelet count, hemoglobin and CD4 count were done. The hematological investigations were repeated at bimonthly intervals and CD4 count was repeated at the end of the study. Patients were clinically reviewed at monthly intervals for compliance, refill and ADR monitoring. The drugs were decoded at the end of the trial.Results:TCE treatment caused significant reduction in eosinophil count and hemoglobin percentage. 60% patients receiving TCE and 20% on placebo reported decrease in the incidence of various symptoms associated with disease. Some of the common complaints reported by patients on TCE were anorexia, nausea, vomiting and weakness.Conclusion:Tinospora cordifolia extract, a plant derived immunostimulant, significantly affected the symptoms of HIV. This was validated by clinical evaluation. However not all of the objective parameters studied by us, back this up. Tinospora cordifolia could be used as an adjunct to HIV/AIDS management.
Highlights
Acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal illness caused by human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), which breaks down the host immune system, leaving the subject vulnerable to life-threatening opportunistic infections, neurological disorders and malignancies
Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has issues associated with availability, affordability, toxicity, ADR monitoring and emerging resistance
HIV was more common in the 18-30 years age group
Summary
Acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal illness caused by human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), which breaks down the host immune system, leaving the subject vulnerable to life-threatening opportunistic infections, neurological disorders and malignancies. In 2001, 40 million people were living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, prevalence rate was 1.2%, about 5 million became infected and about 3 million died of it.[1] With high fatality, significant impact on quality of life, lack of curative treatment or vaccine, HIV/AIDS has become a serious global health problem. The main cause of immune defect in AIDS is deficiency of the thymus-derived lymphocytes (T4), characterized by the presence of CD4 surface molecules, which are the cellular receptors for HIV.[2] Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has issues associated with availability, affordability, toxicity, ADR monitoring and emerging resistance. It is worth looking for a natural product that is safer, affordable, effective, better tolerated and devoid of side effects
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