title: Efficacy and safety of zidovudine and zalcitabine combined with a combination of herbs in the treatment of HIV-infected Thai patients.
abstract: A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of combined-herbs (SH) given with zidovudine (ZDV) and zalcitabine (ddC) for the treatment of HIV infection in Thai adults was conducted in 3 hospitals in northern Thailand during 2002 to 2003. The eligible subjects were HIV-infected Thai adults who had never received anti-retrovirals, had a Karnofski Performance Score (KPS) of > or = 70, and had no opportunistic infections. The subjects were randomized to receive either a combination of ZDV 200 mg three times per day, ddC 0.75 mg three times per day, and SH 2.5 g three times per day or a combination of ZDV 200 mg three times per day, ddC 0.75 mg three times per day, and placebo 2.5 g three times per day for 24 weeks. The main outcome measures were HIV-RNA, CD4 cells, and blood chemistry profiles prior to the treatment and then every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. The baseline characteristics of 60 evaluable subjects, 40 in the SH group and 20 in the placebo group, were not significantly different. HIV RNA at week 4 and thereafter was significantly decreased from the baseline value in both groups (p<0.001). However, the decline in HIV RNA in the SH group was significantly more than that in the placebo group. The CD4 cells in the SH group at week 12 and thereafter were significantly increased from the baseline value. Serious adverse events in the two groups were not observed. It is concluded that an addition of SH herbs to two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors has greater antiviral activity than antiretrovirals only. The SH herbs may be an alternative for the third anti-retroviral agent in the triple drug regimen for the treatment of HIV infected patients in countries with limited resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangkitporn
authors.forename: Luo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shide
authors.forename: Virat
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Klinbuayaem
authors.forename: Prattana
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leenasirimakul
authors.forename: Nuan-Anong
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Wirayutwatthana
authors.forename: Pranee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leechanachai
authors.forename: Sakchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dettrairat
authors.forename: Warunee
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kunachiwa
authors.forename: Visanu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thamlikitkul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000009:adverse effects; D031187:Carthamus tinctorius / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000009:adverse effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016047:Zalcitabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D015215:Zidovudine; D016047:Zalcitabine