Herbal Science Research - HIV

The use of herbal medicines in early drug development for the treatment of HIV infections and AIDS.

Site Editor — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:10:56 -0700

The use of herbal medicines in early drug development for the treatment of HIV infections and AIDS.: Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2007 Sep; 16(9): 1355-64 Liu J

This review systematically assesses the beneficial and harmful effects of herbal medicines in people with HIV infection and AIDS. Based on a Cochrane review and updated searches, the author identifies the available evidence on herbal medicines compared with placebo or antiretroviral drugs in patients with HIV infection, HIV-related disease or AIDS. There are ten randomised controlled trials, involving 571 individuals with HIV infection or AIDS, that met the inclusion criteria. Some herbal medicines, such as IGM-1 seem to be effective in symptom improvement, but generally no significant effect on antiviral or immunity enhancement among reviewed herbs was seen. Combined treatment of Chinese herbal medicine, SH and antiretroviral agents showed increased antiviral benefit compared with antiretrovirals alone. These findings suggest beneficial effects from some of the tested herbs but more evidence from larger studies are needed to support this evidence in the future.

Use of traditional medicines in the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Tanzania [...]

Site Editor — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:08:48 -0700

Use of traditional medicines in the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Tanzania: a case in the Bukoba rural district.: J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2007; 3: 29 Kisangau DP, Lyaruu HV, Hosea KM, Joseph CC

BACKGROUND: Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out to document herbal remedies used in the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in Bukoba Rural district, Tanzania. The district is currently an epicenter of HIV/AIDS and although over 90% of the population in the district relies on traditional medicines to manage the disease, this knowledge is impressionistic and not well documented. The HIV/AIDS opportunistic conditions considered during the study were Tuberculosis (TB), Herpes zoster (Shingles), Herpes simplex (Genital herpes), Oral candidiasis and Cryptococcal meningitis. Other symptomatic but undefined conditions considered were skin rashes and chronic diarrhea. METHODS: An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire was used in collecting field information. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the ethnobotanical data collected. Factor of informant consensus (Fic) was used to analyze the ethnobotanical importance of the plants. RESULTS: In the present study, 75 plant species belonging to 66 genera and 41 families were found to be used to treat one or more HIV/AIDS related infections in the district. The study revealed that TB and oral candidiasis were the most common manifestations of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections affecting most of the population in the area. It unveils the first detailed account of ethnomedical documentation of plants focusing the management of HIV/AIDS related infections in the district. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the ethnopharmacological information reported forms a basis for further research to identify and isolate bioactive constituents that can be developed to drugs for the management of the HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections.

Anti-stress, anti-HIV and vitamin C-synergized radical scavenging activity of mulberry juice fractions.

Site Editor — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:52:17 -0700

Anti-stress, anti-HIV and vitamin C-synergized radical scavenging activity of mulberry juice fractions.: In Vivo. 2007 May-Jun;21(3):499-505 Authors: Sakagami H, Asano K, Satoh K, Takahashi K, Kobayashi M, Koga N, Takahashi H, Tachikawa R, Tashiro T, Hasegawa A, Kurihara K, Ikarashi T, Kanamoto T, Terakubo S, Nakashima H, Watanabe S, Nakamura W

Anti-stress and anti-HIV activity of mulberry juice were separated by centrifugation. The anti-stress activity was enriched in the supernatant fraction whereas the anti-HIV activity in the precipitate fraction. Oral administration of the supernatant fraction significantly reduced the elevated plasma level of lipid peroxide in mice loaded with water immersion restraint stress. The kinetic study revealed that the anti-stress activity was maintained for 4 hours after cessation of the administration of mulberry juice. The lignin fraction in the precipitate fraction scavenged superoxide and hydroxyl radicals more efficiently than other fractions, in a synergistic fashion with sodium ascorbate. Anti-HIV activity of mulberry juice was concentrated in the lignin fraction, whereas blueberry juice, which has no precipitating fibrous materials, did not show anti-HIV activity. The present study suggests the functionality of mulberry juice as an alternative medicine.

PMID: 17591360 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Rubrisandrins A and B, lignans and related anti-HIV compounds from Schisandra rubriflora.

Site Editor — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:51:38 -0800

Rubrisandrins A and B, lignans and related anti-HIV compounds from Schisandra rubriflora.: J Nat Prod. 2006 Dec;69(12):1697-701 Authors: Chen M, Kilgore N, Lee KH, Chen DF

Bioactivity-directed fractionation of an ethanolic extract of the fruits of Schisandra rubriflora led to the isolation and identification of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans including the new lignans rubrisandrins A (1a + 1b) and B (2) and the known lignans gomisin J (3), (+/-)-gomisin M1 (4), (+)-gomisin M2 (5), schisanhenol (6), deoxyschisandrin, schisantherin B, schisandrin, tigloylgomisin P, gomisin O, angeloylgomisin P, and epigomisin O. Their structure and stereochemistry were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 3-6 were active as anti-HIV agents. (+/-)-Gomisin M1 (4) exhibited the most potent anti-HIV activity, with EC50 and therapeutic index (TI) values of <0.65 microM and >68, respectively.

Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.

Site Editor — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:03:39 -0800

Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.: Altern Med Rev. 2006 Dec;11(4):294-9 Authors: Head KA

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other etiologies, results in significant morbidity. Conventional pain medications primarily mask symptoms and have significant side effects and addiction profiles. However, a widening body of research indicates alternative medicine may offer significant benefit to this patient population. Alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, methylcobalamin, and topical capsaicin are among the most well-researched alternative options for the treatment of PN. Other potential nutrient or botanical therapies include vitamin E, glutathione, folate, pyridoxine, biotin, myo-inositol, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-glutamine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St. John's wort. In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge conventional therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also hold promise.

Tulbaghia alliacea phytotherapy: a potential anti-infective remedy for candidiasis.

Site Editor — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:57:40 -0700

Tulbaghia alliacea phytotherapy: a potential anti-infective remedy for candidiasis.: Phytother Res. 2006 Jul 11; Thamburan S, Klaasen J, Mabusela WT, Cannon JF, Folk W, Johnson Q

The reproductive health of individuals is severely compromised by HIV infection, with candidiasis being the most prevalent oral complication in patients. Although not usually associated with severe morbidity, oropharyngeal candidiasis can be clinically significant, as it can interfere with the administration of medications and adequate nutritional intake, and may spread to the esophagus. Azole antifungal agents are commonly prescribed for the treatment and prophylaxis of candidal infections, however, the emergence of drug resistant strains and dose limiting toxic effects has complicated the treatment of candidiasis. Consequently, safe and effective and affordable medicine is required to combat this fungus. Commercial garlic (Allium sativum) has been used since time immemorial as a natural antibiotic, however, very little is known about the antifungal properties of two indigenous South African species of garlic, namely Tulbaghia alliacea and Tulbaghia violacea, used as folk medicines for a variety of infections. This study compares the in vitro anticandidal activity of Tulbaghia alliacea, Tulbaghia violacea and Allium sativum extracts. It was found that the greatest concentrations of inhibitory components were extracted by chloroform or water. The IC50 concentrations of Tulbaghia alliacea were 0.007-0.038% (w/v). Assays using S. cerevisiae revealed that the T. alliacea extract was fungicidal, with a killing half-life of approximately 2 h. This inhibitory effect of the T. alliacea extracts was observed via TLC, and may be due to an active compound called marasmicin, that was identified using NMR. This investigation confirms that extracts of T. alliacea exhibit anti-infective activity against candida species in vitro.

Medicinal plants used by Tanzanian traditional healers in the management of Candida infections.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 07:17:14 -0700

Medicinal plants used by Tanzanian traditional healers in the management of Candida infections.: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Feb 1; Authors: Runyoro DK, Ngassapa OD, Matee MI, Joseph CC, Moshi MJ

An ethnomedical survey in Coast, Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Tanga regions of Tanzania has resulted in the identification of 36 plant species belonging to 21 plant families that are used traditionally for the treatment of Candida infections. Twenty-one plants constituting 58.3% of all collected plants are used to treat of oral candidiasis (Utando) one of the important signs of HIV/AIDS. The knowledge of traditional healers for the treatment of Candida infections has been highly supported by the literature in that 13 (36.1%) out of the 36 plants identified have been proven to be active against Candida albicans and/or other species of Candida. Also, some of the plants were reported to be active against other species of fungi including Cryptococcus neoformans, one of the important pathogenic fungi in HIV/AIDS. It can be seen that ethnomedical information from traditional healers provides a solid lead towards development of new drugs than random screening. The task that remains is to screen extracts prepared from these plants and perform a bioassay-guided fractionation of the active extracts so as to isolate the active compounds from these plants.

PMID: 16458463 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The anti-amoebic activity of some medicinal plants used by AIDS patients in southern Thailand.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 07:12:48 -0700

The anti-amoebic activity of some medicinal plants used by AIDS patients in southern Thailand.: Parasitol Res. 2006 Jan 31;:1-5 Authors: Sawangjaroen N, Phongpaichit S, Subhadhirasakul S, Visutthi M, Srisuwan N, Thammapalerd N

The anti-amoebic activities of chloroform, methanol and water extracts from 12 Thai medicinal plants (39 extracts) commonly used by AIDS patients in southern Thailand were screened, at a concentration of 1,000 mug/ml, against Entamoeba histolytica strain HTH-56:MUTM and strain HM1:IMSS growing in vitro. The extracts were incubated with 2x10(5) E. histolytica trophozoites/ml of medium at 37 degrees C under anaerobic conditions for 24 h. The cultures were examined with an inverted microscope and scored (1-4) according to the appearance and numbers of the trophozoites. The extracts that caused inhibition were selected and retested using the same conditions but with concentrations that ranged from 31.25 to 1,000 mug/ml using E. histolytica strain HM1:IMSS, and the IC(50) values for each extract were calculated. The chloroform extracts from Alpinia galanga (IC(50) 55.2 mug/ml), Barleria lupulina (IC(50) 78.5 mug/ml), Boesenbergia pandurata (IC(50) 45.8 mug/ml), Piper betle (IC(50) 91.1 mug/ml) and Piper chaba (IC(50) 71.4 mug/ml) and the methanol extract from B. pandurata (IC(50) 57.6 mug/ml) were all classified as "active", i.e. with an IC(50) of less than 100 mug/ml, whereas those from Murraya paniculata (IC(50) 116.5 mug/ml) and Zingiber zerumbet (IC(50) 196.9 mug/ml) were classified as being "moderately active". The IC(50) of a standard drug, metronidazole, was 1.1 mug/ml.

Anti-HIV activity of dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignans from Phenax species endemic in Costa Rica.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:32:48 -0700

Anti-HIV activity of dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignans from Phenax species endemic in Costa Rica.: J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Sep;57(9):1109-15 Authors: Piccinelli AL, Mahmood N, Mora G, Poveda L, De Simone F, Rastrelli L

Previously, we isolated two new dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignans, named phenaxolactones and, from the leaves of Phenax angustifolius Wedd. (Urticaceae). In this investigation three new dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans (phenaxolactones), together with phenaxolactone, and flavones vitexin, isovitexin, were isolated from Phenax rugosus Wedd. leaves collected in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. Phenaxolactones and flavones and were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1MN in infected C8166 cells. The most promising compound was phenaxolactone with an EC50 value of 3.0 microM, no cytotoxicity at 112 microM and a therapeutic index value of 37.3.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae), a reputed anti-HIV/AIDS phytomedicine.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:29:30 -0700

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae), a reputed anti-HIV/AIDS phytomedicine.: Phytother Res. 2005 Sep;19(9):779-81 Authors: Katerere DR, Eloff JN

Dried ground leaves of Sutherlandia frutescens were extracted by both sequential extraction with four solvents, starting with the least polar and separately with acetone, ethanol and water. The extracts were tested for antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The hexane extract was, generally, the most active extract against S. aureus, E. faecalis and E. coli with MIC values of 0.31, 1.25 and 2.50 mg/mL, respectively. The second method extracted compounds with antioxidant activity as shown by the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay. The use of Sutherlandia frutescens for topical staphylococcal infections, when formulated in an oily base appears to have a rational basis.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae), a reputed anti-HIV/AIDS phytomedicine.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:29:16 -0700

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae), a reputed anti-HIV/AIDS phytomedicine.: Phytother Res. 2005 Sep;19(9):779-81 Authors: Katerere DR, Eloff JN

Anti-HIV-1 protease- and HIV-1 integrase activities of Thai medicinal plants known as Hua-Khao-Yen.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:13:05 -0700

Anti-HIV-1 protease- and HIV-1 integrase activities of Thai medicinal plants known as Hua-Khao-Yen.: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 4; Authors: Tewtrakul S, Itharat A, Rattanasuwan P

Ethanolic- and water extracts from five species of Thai medicinal plants known as Hua-Khao-Yen were tested for their inhibitory effects against HIV-1 protease (HIV-PR) and HIV-1 integrase (HIV-1 IN). The result revealed that the ethanolic (EtOH) extract of Smilax corbularia exhibited anti-HIV-1 IN activity with an IC(50) value of 1.9mug/ml, followed by the water extract of Dioscorea birmanica (IC(50)=4.5mug/ml), the EtOH extract of Dioscorea birmanica (IC(50)=4.7mug/ml), the water extract of Smilax corbularia (IC(50)=5.4mug/ml), the EtOH extract of Smilax glabra (IC(50)=6.7mug/ml) and the water extract of Smilax glabra (IC(50)=8.5mug/ml). The extracts of Pygmaeopremna herbacea and Dioscorea membranacea were apparently inactive (IC(50)>100mug/ml). Interestingly, only the EtOH extract of Dioscorea membranacea showed appreciable activity (IC(50)=48mug/ml) against HIV-1 PR, while the other extracts possessed mild activity. This result strongly supported the basis for the use of Smilax corbularia and Dioscorea membranacea for AIDS treatment by Thai traditional doctors.

Antiviral activities of extracts and selected pure constituents of Ocimum basilicum.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:01:54 -0700

Antiviral activities of extracts and selected pure constituents of Ocimum basilicum.: Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2005 Oct;32(10):811-6 Authors: Chiang LC, Ng LT, Cheng PW, Chiang W, Lin CC

1. Ocimum basilicum (OB), also known as sweet basil, is a well known medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine preparations. In the present study, extracts and purified components of OB were used to identify possible antiviral activities against DNA viruses (herpes viruses (HSV), adenoviruses (ADV) and hepatitis B virus) and RNA viruses (coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1) and enterovirus 71 (EV71)). 2. The results show that crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of OB and selected purified components, namely apigenin, linalool and ursolic acid, exhibit a broad spectrum of antiviral activity. Of these compounds, ursolic acid showed the strongest activity against HSV-1 (EC50 = 6.6 mg/L; selectivity index (SI) = 15.2), ADV-8 (EC50 = 4.2 mg/L; SI = 23.8), CVB1 (EC50 = 0.4 mg/L; SI = 251.3) and EV71 (EC50 = 0.5 mg/L; SI = 201), whereas apigenin showed the highest activity against HSV-2 (EC50 = 9.7 mg/L; SI = 6.2), ADV-3 (EC50 = 11.1 mg/L; SI = 5.4), hepatitis B surface antigen (EC50 = 7.1 mg/L; SI = 2.3) and hepatitis B e antigen (EC50 = 12.8 mg/L; SI = 1.3) and linalool showed strongest activity against AVD-II (EC50 = 16.9 mg/L; SI = 10.5). 3. No activity was noted for carvone, cineole, beta-caryophyllene, farnesol, fenchone, geraniol, beta-myrcene and alpha-thujone. 4. The action of ursolic acid against CVB1 and EV71 was found to occur during the infection process and the replication phase. 5. With SI values greater than 200, the potential use of ursolic acid for treating infection with CVB1 and EV71 merits further investigation.

In vitro pharmacodynamic evaluation of antiviral medicinal plants using a vector-based assay technique.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:11:29 -0700

In vitro pharmacodynamic evaluation of antiviral medicinal plants using a vector-based assay technique. - J Appl Microbiol. 2005;99(6):1346-55 Authors: Esimone CO, Grunwald T, Wildner O, Nchinda G, Tippler B, Proksch P, Uberla K

Aims: Medicinal plants are increasingly being projected as suitable alternative sources of antiviral agents. The development of a suitable in vitro pharmacodynamic screening technique could contribute to rapid identification of potential bioactive plants and also to the standardization and/or pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profiling of the bioactive components. Methods and Results: Recombinant viral vectors (lentiviral, retroviral and adenoviral) transferring the firefly luciferase gene were constructed and the inhibition of viral vector infectivity by various concentrations of plant extracts was evaluated in HeLa or Hep2 cells by measuring the changes in luciferase activity. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was evaluated in parallel on HeLa or Hep2 cells stably expressing luciferase. Amongst the 15 extracts screened, only the methanol (ME) and the ethyl acetate (ET) fractions of the lichen, Ramalina farinacea specifically reduced lentiviral and adenoviral infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. Further, chromatographic fractionation of ET into four fractions (ET1-ET4) revealed only ET4 to be selectively antiviral with an IC(50) in the 20 mug ml(-1) range. Preliminary mechanistic studies based on the addition of the extracts at different time points in the viral infection cycle (kinetic studies) revealed that the inhibitory activity was highest if extract and vectors were preincubated prior to infection, suggesting that early steps in the lentiviral or adenoviral replication cycle could be the major target of ET4. Inhibition of wild-type HIV-1 was also observed at a 10-fold lower concentration of the extract. Conclusions: The vector-based assay is a suitable in vitro pharmacodynamic evaluation technique for antiviral medicinal plants. The technique has successfully demonstrated the presence of antiviral principles in R. farinacea. Significance and Impact of Study: Potential anti-HIV medicinal plants could rapidly be evaluated with the reported vector-based technique. The lichen, R. farinacea could represent a lead source of antiviral substances and is thus worthy of further studies.