The Effects of a Mixture of Extracts from Indigenous Herbs on HIV/AIDS Patients Employing CD4+ T Lymphocyte Counts and Viral Load Reductions as Assessment Indices

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is treated in some part of Africa using different herbal combinations. The study aimed at determining the effects of herbal extracts on HIV/AIDS patients and to access its antioxidant effects in vitro. The extract was made from selected fruits, leaves and mixed with honey. The herbal mixture was employed based on the claims by indigenous Biotechnologist (Medical Botany Practitioners) that such extracts were effective in HIV/AIDS management.  A total number of 95 volunteers’ from Jos North, Jos South and Mangu Local Government Areas, Plateau State, Nigeria were therefore chosen for this study. All the study subjects were adequately diagnosed prior to the study to ascertain their HIV/AIDS positivity status, CD4 counts and viral load baselines. They were further divided into age brackets to find out the age brackets that responded best to the treatment. The response of the patients was monitored using the CD4 counts increase and viral load reductions as indices at 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th-month intervals. Significant improvements were recorded in viral load reductions and CD4 counts in all the age groups after the 18th month except for the age group 20 – 29 years. The active age group (20 – 49 years) had a cumulative incidence of 88% of the total study population. The highest percentage adherence of 83% was recorded in 40 – 49 years volunteers while the highest non-adherence was recorded as 64% in 50 – 59 years volunteers. The herbal mixture possesses good in vitro antioxidant effect when compared with Butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). The present study showed that herbal therapy could reduce the viral loads and increase CD4 counts of HIV/AIDS patients. The herbal treatments were therefore effective. However, it should act as a supplementary treatment for patients and should not replace the conventional Anti-retroviral therapy.