Safety and efficacy of hyptis suaveolens extract for therapy of influenza in healthy adults.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of H.suaveolens extract for therapy of influenza in healthy adults. Methods: The study was randomized double blind placebo controlled study conducted in 15 community and general hospitals from May to August 2006. The study subjects were healthy adults who had influenza-like symptoms and positive preliminary diagnostic test for influenza A or B from respiratory secretions. They were randomized to receive H.suaveolens extract 500 mg 3 times daily or the placebo 3 times daily for 7 days. The subjects were evaluated for the severity of symptoms related to influenza, adverse effects of the medications and the presence of influenza viruses from respiratory secretions at entry, day 4 and day 7 after treatment. Results: There were 39 subjects in the placebo group and 46 in the H.suaveolens group. There was a significant improvement in symptoms of the patients in both groups on day 4 and day 7 when compared with that at entry. However, the average duration of fever of the patients in both groups was not significantly different (3.1 days in the placebo group vs. 3 days in the H.suaveolens group, p=0.749). The recovery rates of influenza A and influenza B viruses from respiratory secretions of the subjects on day 4 and day 7 after treatment in both groups were not significantly different. A trend of less positive culture for influenza A virus in the patients receiving H.suaveolens extract (32.5%) compared with those receiving a placebo (47.1%) was observed. The compliance to medications was satisfactory. No serious adverse effects due to study medications were observed. Conclusion: H.suaveolens extract 1.5 grams per day for 7 days is safe but it is not effective in relieving influenza-related symptoms in adults with influenza. The lack of efficacy of H.suaveolens extract might be due to an insufficient dosage of the extract.

Clinical study of morus alba linn. on glycemic control and blood lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes: A preliminary study.

Effects of Morus alba-leaf extracts on glycemic control and blood lipids were carried out in 27 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Water extracts of Morus alba leaves at a dosage of 700 mg were given to the patients thrice daily for 8 weeks. The patients did not receive any concomitant medications for diabetes or hyperlipidemia. The mean fasting plasma glucose levels at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8 were 155.1, 179, 173.6, 183.9 and 185.8 mg/dl, respectively (p=0.04). The mean glycosylated hemoglobin levels at baseline and week 8 were 7.6% and 8.4%, respectively (p=0.002). The mean blood total cholesterol levels at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8 were 229.6, 211.2, 210.2, 204.5 and 199.4 mg/dl, respectively (p<0.001). The mean blood triglyceride levels at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8 were 235.4, 191.3, 174.5, 183.5 and 168.2 mg/dl, respectively (p=0.001). No patients experienced side effects of the treatment. Laboratory results on CBC, urine, blood electrolytes, renal function and liver function at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 6 and week 8 were not significantly different. Morus alba-leaf extracts have no hypoglycemic effect but they exert lipid lowering effects.

Preliminary efficacy and safety of oral suspension SH, combination of five chinese medicinal herbs, in people living with HIV/AIDS ; the phase I/II study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of the mixture of drug extracts from 5 Chinese medicinal herbs (SH), in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). DESIGN: Open-label study. SETTING : Sanpatong Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand. SUBJECTS : HIV-1 infected adults with a CD4 cell count of more than 200 cell/mm3 and HIV-1 RNA > 20,000 copies/ml. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients received an oral suspension of SH, a combination of 5 Chinese medicinal herbs namely Glycyrrhiza glaba L., Artemisia capillaris Thumb., Morus alba L., Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., Carthamus tinctorius L., 5 g or 30 ml, in 3 divided doses after meals, plus sulfamethozaxole/ trimethoprim, 400/80 mg tablet, once daily after breakfast for 12 weeks. During the treatment and the follow up period, the absolute CD4 cell count and the plasma HIV-1 RNA were monitored. Adverse events were observed. RESULTS: Of the 28 enrolled patients, the number of positive response patients with reduction of plasma HIV-1 RNA more than 0.5 log during the treatment and follow up period were 4-10 (14.2-35.7%) while the number of negative response patients who had plasma HIV-1 RNA rising at least 0.5 log were 2-4 (0-14.2%). The means viral load at week 0 (baseline), 12 and 20 were 4.94, 4.83 and 4.76 log copies/ml, which were slightly declined Whilst, the mean absolute CD4 cell count of week 0 (baseline), 4, 8, 12, and 20 fluctuated within the baseline, range of 382.1, 404.2, 359.4, 404.1, 360.2 cell/mm3, respectively. All subjects had good compliance without any serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Under the condition used, SH drug therapy is safe. Satisfactory positive response, by decreased viral load of more than 0.5 log, was found in 14%-35% of HIV-positive patients. However, the immunologic response, an increase of CD4 cell count was not clearly demonstrated. The clinical benefit of SH needs more thorough scientific support before being prescribed as adjunctive therapy for treating PLWHA.

Efficacy of gymnostemma pentaphyllum in patients with hyperlipidemia.

A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of Gymnostemma pentaphyllum in patients with hyperlipidemia. Twenty-three patients were allocated to receive Gymnostemma pentaphyllum powder in capsule at the dosage of 5 grams thrice a day for 3 months. Twenty-one patients received placebo in identical capsules thrice a day for 3 months. Lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein) were determined prior to taking medication and every month thereafter. Lipid profiles of all patients at entry were not significantly different from those after therapy. Lipid profiles of the patients in both groups at month 1, 2 and 3 were not significantly different. Oxidative stress & anti-oxidant activity and anti-platelet activity in the serum samples taken from patients in both groups were not significantly different. Adverse events and abnormal laboratory tests were not observed in patients receiving Gymnostemma pentaphyllum. Most of the patients were satisfied with the treatment they received. It is concluded that Gymnostemma pentaphyllum powder in capsules prepared by Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health at the dosage of 5 grams thrice a day for 3 months is safe but not efficacious in reducing lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia.