title: The immunostimulatory and antimicrobial property of two herbal decoctions used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV/AIDS is a pandemic retarding economic growth and destroying human capital globally. This study therefore investigated the perceived efficacy of Betula alba (BA) and Sutherlandia frutescens (SF) decoctions used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study on the records of HIV/AIDS patients attending Habibi Herbal Clinic, Kumasi, Ghana, was conducted to obtain information on the initial viral load presented during their maiden visit and results after treatment with the herbal decoctions. The decoctions were assessed for immunostimulatory property in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed ICR mice. Total white blood cell count, as well as lymphocyte and neutrophil counts were determined and their effects compared with Levamisole. The decoctions were also screened for antimicrobial activity by the micro dilution method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two herbal decoctions used significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.001) the patients' viral loads (47.42 ± 17.28 % to 13.69 ± 12.42 %; n=16). BA (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) and SF (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg) caused significant increment (P ≤ 0.001) in total WBC and lymphocyte count in mice comparable to that produced by 2.5 mg/kg Levamisole. The decoctions also exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria as well as Candida albicans (MIC 0.607 to 3.062 mg/ml). Phytochemicals present in both plants include saponins, terpenoids and coumarins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Betula alba and Sutherlandia frutescens decoctions have interesting immunostimulatory and antimicrobial properties and hence could be useful in the management of HIV/AIDS and associated opportunistic infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: George Asumeng
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Koffuor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dickson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics; Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Stephen Yao
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Gbedema
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ekuadzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dapaah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Lydia Francisca
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Otoo
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D029662:Betula / Q000737:chemistry*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Betula alba; Micro-well dilution assay; Minimum inhibitory concentration; Sutherlandia frutescen,s; Viral load