Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Withania somnifera (roots, 20% w/w), Phyllanthus emblica (fruits, 20% w/w) and Ocimum sanctum
(leaves 20% w/w) has been shown to be a very potent immuno-protective agent. 13 In Uganda, the
plants which were most commonly mentioned by traditional medicine practitioners include Aloe
spp., Erythrina abyssinica, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Psorospermum febrifugum, Mangifera indica
and Warburgia salutaris . 14
Plant Derived Anti-Anemic Agents
HIV-associated anemia has been shown to be an important contributor to the morbidity and
mortality of this infection. 15 Anemia has deleterious effect on both functional capacity and quality
of life, and has been implicated in shortened survival even by patients on antiretroviral therapy.
Several studies have indicated that recovery from anaemia is associated with improved quality of
life and survival, therefore, treatment of HIV infection includes addressing the underlying condi-
tions that cause the anaemia. The target haemoglobin level is 12 g/dL for men and 11 g/dL for
women. In most cases of severe anaemia transfusions have been prescribed in order to achieve rapid
recovery and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) have been used to maintain the haemo-
globin concentrations. In several anecdotal reports and some observational studies, it has been pos-
sible to reverse HIV-induced anaemia and achieve eryhtropoietic sufficiency using herbal products.
Remarkable results have been achieved in our laboratories with such well known phytonutrients
like Moringa oleifera and Sorghum bicolor . A plant extractive developed in our laboratories, called
Phytoerythropoetin - K (PEP-K) has also demonstrated consistent value in the treatment of anae-
mia in chronic diseases. Studies are currently underway to evaluate its usefulness in HIV infection.
It is believed to improve the iron-binding capacity (transferring) and the percent saturation, as well
as better incorporation of iron in developing red cells.
Herbal Medicinal Products for Opportunistic Infections
HAART has contributed to a remarkable decline in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality.
Clinical observations of spontaneous remission of previously untreatable opportunistic infections in
subjects on HAART reflect the substantial degree of immune reconstitution, which can be achieved
with this therapy. Despite the progress made in the use of these potent anti-retroviral drug regimens
in the suppression of HIV-viremia, antiretroviral therapy is not able to achieve a complete recon-
stitution of the immune system in advanced HIV-infected patients. In fact, a complete normaliza-
tion of HIV-associated immunological alterations has not been reported so far, but the observation
period of subjects on potent antiretroviral therapies is still relatively short. The situation is further
complicated by occurrence of “immune reconstitution syndrome” in patients in the early phases of
treatment with HAART who develop tuberculosis, M. avium complex, and cytomegalovirus disease.
In addition, drug therapy can be limited over time by side effects and emergence of drug resistance.
These considerations have evoked growing interest in the development of specific drugs for the
treatment of these opportunistic infections associated with HIV/ AIDS. In developing countries,
the high incidence of parasitic infections contributes significantly to the high mortality recorded
among AIDS patients in developing countries. Plants have been the source of many drugs used in
current use for the treatment of protozoal diseases. Evaluation of plants used in traditional medi-
cine in Nigeria and Cameroon for the treatment of parasitic diseases lead to the identification of
several compounds with potential for the treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis
and opportunistic infections caused by Cryptosporadium parvum and Toxoplasma gondii . Indole
alkaloids, protoberberines, indoloquinoclides, and pregananes are among the most promising che-
motypes. Some of the active plant extracts obtained from Picralima nitida, Cryptolepis sanguino-
lenta, Chasmanthera depedens and Dracania mannii are candidates for possible development as
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