THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN MANAGING HIV/AIDS: The Case of Ghana

   September 8-9, 2005       

THE USEFULNESS OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN POST HIGHLY ACTIVE

ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT (HAART) ERA

BY DR. MUBARAK OSEI-KWASI

Noguchi Memorial Institute For Medical Research,

University Of Ghana

August 11, 2005

• High prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant African women between 24 and 29 years means that most of them were infected between 15 and 19 years ( Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) years

• Despite positive impact that antiretroviral therapy has had on the lives of individuals with HIV infection, the adverse effects, potential long-term toxicities, complexity of regimens, development of drug resistance and cost have made decisions about when to initiate HAART difficult.

• Patients are seeking help from alternative systems of medicines–Unani, Chinese, Ayurvedic,

naturopathy, acupuncture, Kneipt-Therapy, homeopathy and many others

• Their importance has led to a new Discipline known as Alternative Medicine being taught in some higher institutions in Europe, America and Asia.

• Africans use medicinal plants for the treatment of many diseases without any scientific evidence. It is known that some medicinal plants contain vitamins, minerals, etc. which help the body maintain a healthy balance.

Description Of PatientsSigns and symptoms specifically asked for and

documented• Chronic diarrhoea of greater than 1-month

duration.• Unintentional weight loss• Greater than 10% of body weigh• Dermatological problems.• Prolonged fever (documented more than 1-

month duration)• Persistent cough• Genital ulceration and vaginal discharge• Menstrual disorders.

Description Of Patients

Signs and symptoms specifically asked for and documented

• Chronic diarrhoea of greater than 1-month duration.

• Unintentional weight loss• Greater than 10% of body weigh• Dermatological problems.• Prolonged fever (documented more than 1-month

duration)• Persistent cough• Genital ulceration and vaginal discharge• Menstrual disorders.

NAME HIV

1 2 CD4 CD8

CD4

CD8 CD4 CD8

CD4

CD8

3

CD4 CD8

CD4

CD8

4

CD4

 

CD8

CD4

CD8

5

CD4

Y.B + + <50 1000 0.05 <50 640 O.08 <50 650 0.09 64 756 0.8 †

D.O. + - 282 558 0.52 330 517 0.64 305 480 0.64 300 520 0.57 †

Y.A. + +

<50 956. 0.06 <50 960 0.06 <50 946 0.06 † †

A.T + + 196 874 0.22 200 954 0.20 209 723 0.29 † †

Table 1. Constant low CD4 Levels

NAME

HIV

1 2

1

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

CD4

CD8

2

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

CD4

CD8

3

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

CD4

CD8

4

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

CD4

CD8

 

5

CD4

CD8

 

 

A.M + + <50 854 0.06 340 756 0.45 350 765 0.46 350 840 0.41 S S

O.B. + + 147 900 0.16 168 956 0.17 209 1000 .021 357 968 0.36 428 1205 †

J.K. + + 96 960 0.1 108 1040 0.1 360 1258 0.28 540 1327 0.40 745 1488 †

L.P. + + 89 353 0.25 290 350 0.82 476 653 0.73 S S

A.S. + - 150 345 0.43 325 350 0.92 S S

A.K.U.

+ - 128 1595 0.08 340 1698 0.20 322 1437 0.22 425 1590 0.27 486 1592

S.B. + + 210 756 0.27 357 920 0.39 523 1000 0.52 754 1320 0.57 942 1415

A.A. + - 210 320 0.65 345 360 0.95 S S

Table 2. Increasing CD4 Levels

Table 3. High CD4 Levels

NAME HIV

1 2

1

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

CD4

CD8

2

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

CD4

CD8

3

 

CD4

 

 

CD8

 

 CD4

CD8

 4

 

CD4

 

CD4

CD8

  5

CD4

CD8  

CD4

M.A + - 1021 750 1.36 1000 650 1.53 1001 652 1.5 1001 652 1.54 1011 750

G.T. + + 1062 741 1.43 1O70

748 1.43 1280 753 1.7 1170 780 1.5 1072 758

Treatment of Herpes Zoster

Constraints

1.  Mistrust

2. Preparations of decoctions

3. Dosage of herbal decoctions

4. Definitions -cure and treatment

Constraints (cont.)

5. Acceptance of herbal medications by orthodox medical institutions

6.  Research funding

7. Support- i) Herbalist

-ii) Patients

RESEARCH ON FLAVONOIDS

• Hu CQ, Chen K, Shi Q, Kilkuskie RE, Cheng YC, Lee KH.

• Natural Products Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina

RESEARCH ON FLAVONOID (Cont.)

• Seven other natural flavonoids, and 14 synthetic flavonoids have been evaluated.

• Flavonoids with hydroxy groups at C-5 and C-7 and with a C-2-C-3 double bond have been found to be potent inhibitors of HIV growth.

SOME SOURCES OF FLAVONOIDS

• COCOA

• GREEN TEA

• CHRYSANTHENIUM ETC. –Identified As Major Sources Of

These Compounds.

A CHALLENGE OF OUR TIME

• Ghanaian scientists (esp. Chemists and Biochemists) should do their best to isolate these compounds and join hands with other researchers to evaluate them for medicinal purposes.

LAST WORDS

• WISDOM IS FROM ALLAH (GOD), EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE MAN KNOWLEDGABLE,

• BUT ONLY ALLAH (GOD) CAN MAKE HIM WISE

    

THANK YOU !!!THANK YOU !!!MERMERÇI BEAUCOUP!!ÇI BEAUCOUP!!

GRACIAS!!!GRACIAS!!!

ASANTE SANA !!!ASANTE SANA !!!

YE DA MU ASYE DA MU ASεε !!!