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- Title
Preliminary Trial of Aloe Vera Gruel on HIV Infection.
- Authors
Olatunya, Oladele S.; Olatunya, Ayomadewa M.; Anyabolu, Henry C.; Adejuyigbe, Ebun A.; Oyelami, Oyeku A.
- Abstract
Background: Ten (10) young women diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa, a unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria who did not meet the national criteria for the use of antiretroviral drugs were managed with 30-40 mL of aloe vera ( Aloe barbadensis miller) gruel daily. Methods: Their CD4 counts, general improvement, and physical well-being (including weight gain) were monitored over a 1-year period. The findings were compared with those of 20 age- matched controls who were on antiretroviral drugs. One (1) patient who reacted badly to antiretroviral drug switched over to aloe vera. Results: The average weight gain among those on aloe vera was 4.7 kg compared to 4.8 kg by those on antiretroviral drug ( p=0.916). The average rise in CD4 count among them was 153.7 cells/μL compared to 238.85 cells/μL among the controls ( p=0.087). There was no significant side effect(s) in either group except in the 1 patient who switched over from antiretroviral drugs to aloe vera gruel. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that consumption of aloe vera may be of help to HIV-infected individuals in the tropics, given its availability and inexpensiveness.
- Subjects
NIGERIA; THERAPEUTICS; HIV infections; ANTIVIRAL agents; ALOE; ALTERNATIVE medicine; ANTHROPOMETRY; BLOOD testing; COMPARATIVE studies; DIETARY supplements; HEALTH status indicators; MEDICINAL plants; HEALTH outcome assessment; WEIGHT gain; PILOT projects; TREATMENT effectiveness; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; CD4 lymphocyte count
- Publication
Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 2012, Vol 18, Issue 9, p850
- ISSN
1075-5535
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1089/acm.2010.0735