Open AccessA short-term intervention trial on HIV positive patients using a Sri Lankan classical rasayana drug - Ranahamsa Rasayanaya
Author(s) -
KIndrajith Somarathna,
HM Chandola,
B Ravishankar,
K N Pandya,
A. M. P. Attanayake
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
ayu
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0976-9382
pISSN - 0974-8520
DOI - 10.4103/0974-8520.72393
Subject(s) - medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , adjuvant , immunology
Rational use of Rasayana therapy, in the management of HIV infected individuals, could potentially stabilize the destructive control mechanisms, by modulating the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune axis. The objective of the present study has been to determine the short-term effects of Ranahamsa Rasayanaya (RR) in HIV infected patients. A total of 27 patients with documented HIV infection were randomly assigned to two groups, Group A - 5 g of RR twice daily with cow's milk and sugar. Group B - Only routine modern therapy was continued, if any they were taking, including highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Absolute CD4(+) T-cell and total lymphocyte counts were measured in these patients, registered under Group A. Only 21 participants completed the study protocol (In Group A, 15 patients and in Group B, 6 patients). Initial mean CD4(+) T-cell count was 304.50 ± 43.36 cells/microliter, which increased to 430.44 ± 66.01 cells/microliter by 41.36% (P<0.05), measured among 9 patients out of 15, who received RR in Group A. The RR seemed to be a safer adjuvant in people with HIV infection with respect to absolute CD4(+) T-cell count over a 90 days treatment.