Good Antiretroviral Drug-for HIV/AIDS Patients Revealed

Neem tree showing the leaves and twigs…extract showed ANTIRETROVIRAL activity

A recent study published in the Royal Society of Tropical Research showed that, the extract of Neem leaf  is a good Antiretroval drug.

Description of the Neem Tree (Azadirchata indica)

The neem tree, Azadirachta indica, a miracle plant as is popularly called is a tropical evergreen with a wide adaptability. Native to India and Burma, it has been transplanted to Africa, the Middle East, South America and Australia. It is especially suited to semi-arid conditions and thrives even in the poorest soil with rainfalls as little as 18 inches (450 mm) per year and temperatures up to 50° C (120° F). It may grow up to 50 feet (15 m) tall and live for 200 years.

Its blossoms are small, white flowers with a very sweet, jasmine-like scent. Its edible fruit — loved by children in Africa — is about 3/4 of an inch (2 cm) long, with white kernels. A neem tree generally begins bearing fruits at three to five years of age, and can produce up to 50 kg (110 lbs.) of fruit annually when mature. The pinnate leaves have a very bitter taste and a garlic-like smell. 

Due to its medical and insecticidal properties, the neem tree has been widely used in the traditional medicine and agriculture in India. Apart form Azadirchata indica there are two other know species of neem: siamensis azadirachtaand exceisa azadirachta

Different parts of Neem tree and its oil extracted out of seed is being used in different parts of the world for different purposes. Two decades of research has revealed promising results in many disciplines like medicines, cosmetics and agriculture etc. This obscure species may be on the cusp of bringing enormous benefits to countries both poor and rich. Even some of the most cautious researchers are saying that Neem deserves to be called a wonder plant. These days many types of products are being consumed in daily life around the world made out of Neem and it's by-products.

MEDICINAL USES OF NEEM

PART MEDICINAL USE

Leaf: Leprosy ,eye problem ,epistaxis ,intestinal worms, skin ulcer, antiretroviral, anorexia, biliousness

Bark: Analgesic ,alternative and curative of fever

Flower :Bile suppression ,elimination of intestinal worms and phlegm

Fruit :Piles, urinary disorder ,eye problem,diabetes,phlegm wounds and leprosy.

Twig: Cough, asthma ,piles ,phantom tumour, intestinal worms, spermatorrhoea obstinate urinary disorder, diabetes.

Gum :Scabies, wounds, ulcers, skin diseases .

Seed : Leprosy and intestinal worms

Oil: Leprosy and intestinal worms.

Back to our main topic

An antimalarial extract from neem leaves is antiretroviral

The researchers evaluated an acetone–water neem leaf extract with anti-malarial activity in vitro at 5microgramme/milliliter (?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 1000mg 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 the absence of the extract, and zero and two 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, 126cells/?l and 90mm/h respectively, improved to 12.1g/dl, 241cells/?l and 49mm/h.
Haemoglobin is the iron-containing protein attached to red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Mean bodyweight 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-malarial drugs.”

African researchers have also found that fractionated neem leaf extract is safe and increases CD4 cell levels in HIV/AIDS patients.
The study was published in American Journal of Therapeutics by researchers from the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The researchers investigated the safety and effect of an acetone-water neem leaf extract (IRAB) on CD4 cells in 60 HIV/AIDS patients as part of an ongoing study to determine the influence of neem on immunity and viral load in HIV/AIDS.

The researchers wrote, “patients were confirmed as HIV I or II positive, as having CD4 cell count, less than 300 cells/microL and as anti-retrovirally naïve. They were given oral IRAB (1.0 g daily for 12 weeks). Clinical and laboratory tests were carried out at baseline and at four weekly intervals. Thus, the patients served as their own controls. 60 patients completed treatment. 50 (83.33 per cent) were completely compliant with respect to laboratory tests. Increase in mean CD4 cells, 266 cells/microL (159 per cent), for the 50 patients were significant between baseline and week 12.
“Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (64 mm/hr at baseline) was 16 mm/hr at week 12, whereas total number of incidences of HIV/AIDS-related pathologies decreased from 120 at baseline to 5. Mean bodyweight, hemoglobin concentration, and lymphocyte differential count increased significantly by 12 per cent, 24 per cent, and 20 per cent, respectively.
“There were no adverse effects and no abnormalities in kidney and liver function parameters. The results support the safety of IRAB in HIV/AIDS, and its significant influence on CD4 cells may be useful in the formulation of multidrug combination therapies for HIV/AIDS. However, its antiretroviral activity is being evaluated in our laboratory.”
Also, India has successfully completed phase two trials of a neem based microbicide gel for women that promises to help prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS. Microbicides are a compound with the ability to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

After animal trials, the first phase of human trials check the toxicological effect of the drug, like itching and swelling. The sample size could be as small as 10 people. Phase two of the clinical trial takes into account more individuals than the previous phase and monitors side effects of the product. In phase three, the trials are generally conducted in multiple sites and amongst multiple risk groups. A favourable result leads to its application for licensing and mass production.

Abstinence is the best solution for AIDS infection but if you want do,use condom.

LIVE HEALTHY ,HEALTH IS WEALTH.