Impact of Herbal Supplement on CD4 Cell Count among Institutionalized HIV-AIDS Subjects in Puducherry

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome is a fatal illness caused by Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, which breaks down the host immune system, leaving the subject vulnerable to life-threatening infections. Current therapies available for symptomatic treatment of AIDS are quite expensive and are seeking help from alternative system of medicines. Findings suggest beneficial effects from herbs but require more evidences. Hence, this is a step to popularize indigenous herbs which possess immuno- modulatory properties against retrovirus; inhibits the replication of it in human body, also prevent infectious diseases and hence delays the progression of the disease. Thus this study was ventured upon at a pilot level to formulate a multi herbal product and to study its impact on supplementation to HIV-AIDS subjects. The herbal product comprises of four different herbs namely Achyranthes aspera (600mg), Tribulus terrestris (300mg), Trichopus seylanicus (400mg), Tinospora cordifolia (200mg)and rice bran (500mg) in different dosage. The ingredients were shade dried and powdered and 2 grams of the mix with the above mentioned proportion was administered to the subjects twice a day to be consumed along with cooked hot rice. The impact of the developed multi herbal supplement was studied before and after the treatment with reference to CD4 count. The finding of the study revealed that about 75% of the subjects showed improvement in the CD4 count on supplementation. The present study concluded that these potential herbs could be supplemented to the HIV-AIDS patients along with the ART drugs to boost their immune system.