title: Preliminary trial of aloe vera gruel on HIV infection.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Teaching Hospital's Complex Ile Ife, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. ladeletunya@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Oladele S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Olatunya
authors.forename: Ayomadewa M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Olatunya
authors.forename: Henry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Anyabolu
authors.forename: Ebun A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Adejuyigbe
authors.forename: Oyeku A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Oyelami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000504:Aloe; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations