Chronic immune Activation as the Cause of immune Deficiency in AIDS
Hellerstein MK, Hoh RA, Hanley MB, et al, Subpopulations of long-lived and short-lived T cells in advanced HIV-1 infection. J Clin Invest. 2003;112:956-966.
The authors studied the dynamics of T-cell replication in vivo to determine the kinetics of naive and memory CD4+ and CD8+ cells. The method was administration of deuterated water as a metabolic label in newly synthesized DNA reflecting active proliferation. The results showed that increased proliferation and accelerated cell death were observed in the memory/effector T cells of both CD4 and CD8 lineaged but not naive-phenotype T cells. These results suggest that proliferation of the memory/effector CD4+ and CD8+ cells reflects immune activation rather than compensatory response to CD4+ cell death. Successful antiretroviral therapy restored values to normal.
Comment: The previous concept of HIV pathogenesis was often assumed to be HIV-mediated lysis of CD4+ cells. However, it became clear that the CD4+ cell count decline involved uninfected cells, Presumably as a result of activation-induced cell death. It was also noted that HIV selectively kills CD4+ cells, but both CD4+ and CD8+ cells showed increased proliferation. These observations, coupled with the studies noted above, provide compelling evidence that the pathogenesis of T-cell turnover is caused by proliferation of the memory/effector T cells due to immune activation. As discussed in the accompanying editorial by Silvestri and Feinberg from Emory University, the effect of HAART is to reduce antigenic load and consequently reduce T-cell activation with reduction in activation-induced cell death. They further note that this concept explains the CD4+ cell count response in HAART as a reflection of decreasing immune activation and apoptosis, rather than direct effects on reduction of HIV replication. This may also explain the discordant response in patients who have good virologic control but no significant CD4+ cell response, presumably due to persistent immune activation, and the paradoxic observation that drug-resistant HIV infection may show persistent high viral loads with a sustained CD4+ cell response. They point out that a unique feature of HIV is that, unlike other chronic viral infections such as HCV, HIV seems to induce a chronic state of immune activation. The conclusion is that CD4+ cell depletion is not a reflection of selective killing of CD4+ cells in HIV but a reflection of higher susceptibility of these cells to the effects of chronic immune activation.
Medline
Induction of feline immunodeficiency syndrome by feline leukemia virus: pituitary and adrenocortical dysfunctions.
Teng CS
AIDS 1990 Dec 4:1219-24
Seven young cats were injected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV); six of them became viremic. All of the viremic cats developed AIDS-relate symptoms, i.e. lymphopenia, neutropenia, thymic atrophy, and wasting syndrome, along with an altered pituitary and adrenocortical function. These symptoms closely resemble human AIDS induced by HIV. It was discovered that, after 2 weeks of infection, the average amount of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) detected in the infected cats was redued by 29% in comparison with that before the infection. In contrast to the second week, the fifth week of infection showed a 94% increase of plasma ACTH which then dropped back down to 38% after the sixth and seventh weeks. This opposing biphasic pattern of change was also observed in the plasma cortisol content of the infected cats. The amount of change in plasma cortisol did not correlate with the detected increase in plasma ACTH, indicating a weak adrenal response to pituitary action.
COMMENT: Lack of cortisol to overcome inflammation.
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MEDICINE (OCTOBER 1994)
Supporting the correlation between CD4+ hyperactivation and disease progression was a presentation by Dr. Andrieu of France. His was a study in which open-label, low-dose prednisolone (a glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity) was administeered to 24 CDC-class II (asymptomatic) and 20 CDC-class III (mildly symptomatic) HIV-infected persons (median CD4 cell counts upon entry: 438). After a peak gain of more than 200 CD4 cells at day 15, a median gain of greater 100 cells was sustained throughout the year of follow-up. Levels of viral DNA, RNA, mRNA and p24 antigen remained stable over the course of the trial in all patients. Significant decreases were observed in serum activation markers (such as IgG, IgA and beta-2 microglobulin) as well as in cell associated markers of CD4+a cell activation (DR and CD25 surface antigens). In addition, lymphadenopathies disappeared in 16 out of 20 class III patients, presumably indicating decreased lymph node activity.
Dr. Andrieu believes that CD4+ cell increases were attributable to a decrease in activation-induced apoptosis, which was significantly reduced in vitro following 15 days of prednisolone treatment. Whether the apparent rescue of CD4+ T cells from apoptosis alone - or from a combination of activation and HIV-induced cellular events - effected the CD4+ cell increases, the results indicate that a moderate reduction in CD4+ sensitivity may improve immunologic parameters in the context of early and middle-stage HIV disease
Medline abstract
Immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids for HIV infection
GMHC Treat Issues 1995 Dec;9(12):5-7,10-1 (ISSN 1077-1924)
Loftus R
Cyclosporine (CsA), corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide (CY), methotrexate (TX) have been proposed for, or have entered, trials for HIV infection or AIDS. CsA acts specifically against T-cells in the early stages of activation. Reports on the use of CsA in people with HIV are contradictory, positive results from two studies have not been confirmed with randomized controlled trials. CsA's high cost and severe side effects are significant drawbacks. Corticosteroids have more encouraging results, but the effects on primary HIV infection have not been formally studied. Long-term use of corticosteroids has been associated with an exacerbation of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. CY and MTX are used at high doses for cancer chemotherapy, at low doses they have proven immunomodulatory and inflammation-suppression properties, respectively. The goals of the proposed studies are to reduce B-cell activity with CY and to reduce levels of inflammatory immune markers with MTX, without adversely affecting CD4 or white blood cell counts or HIV levels.
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Prednisolone mediated suppression of HIV-1 viral load strongly correlates with CC chemokine CCL2: In vivo and in vitro findgs. By Anseri AW
CCL2 (MCP-1) is a proinflammatory chemokine induced in HIV-1 infection. We Have previous demonstrated a significant correlation of CCL2 gene expression with HIV-1 viremia. In this study we investigated the effect of prednisolone on CCL2 gene expression and viral load in an HIV-1-infected patient receiving high-dose prednisolone for severe uveitis. We observed a >1 log reduction of HIV-1 viral load, associated with more than hundred fold reduction of CCL2 expression at day 3 of prednisolone treatment. In vitro HIV-1 infection of PBMC demonstrated reduced HIV-1 replication in the presence of prednisolone. Flow cytometric analysis revealed 50% reduction of LTR driven GFP activity by prednisolone in GHOST cells. these findings indicate that prednisolone suppresses both HIV-1 viral load and CCL2 mRNA expression, an association which might be exploited for future anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies in HIV-1 infection.
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LACTOFERRIN (extract from Colostrum)
Brand Jarrow Formulas, Inc Pharmaceutical grade
60 Capsules 250 mg $22.00
www.colostrumdirect.com/lactoferrin
Medline Abstract
Antiviral effect of bovine lastoferrin saturated with metal ions on early steps of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol 1998 Sep;30(9):1055-62 (ISSN: 1357-2725)
Puddu P; Borghi P; Gessani S; Valenti P; Belardelli F; Seganti L
Laboratory of Immunology, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy.
Lactoferrin is a mammalian iron-binding glycoprotein present in many biological secretions, such as milk, tears, semen and plasma and a major component of the specific granules of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The effect of bovine lactoferrin (BLf) in apo-form or saturated with ferric, manganses or zinc ions, on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in the C8166 T-cell line was studied. Both HIV-1 replication and syncytium formation were efficiently inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, by lactoferrins. BLf in apo and saturated forms markedly inhibited HIV-1 replication when added prior to HIV infection or during the virus adsorption step, thus suggesting a mechanism of action on the HIV binding to or entry into C8166 cells. Likwise, the addition of Fe3+BLf prior to HIV infection and during the attachment step resulted in a marked reduction of the HIV-1 DNA in C8166 cells 20 h after infection. The potent antiviral effect and the high selectivity index exhibited by BLf suggest for this protein, in apo or saturated forms, an important role in inhibiting the early HIV-cell interaction, even though a post adsorption effect cannot be ruled out.
Plasma lactoferrin levels are decreased in end-stage AIDS patients.
Viral Immunol 1999;12(3):197-203 (ISSN: 0882-8245)
van der Strate BW; Harmsen MC; The TH; Sprenger HG; de Vries H; Eikelboom MC; Kuipers ME; Meijer DK; Swart PJ
Department of Pharmacokinetics and Drug Delivery, Groningen University Institute for Drug Exploration, University Centre for Pharmacy, The Netherlands.
The antimicrobial protein lactoferrin (Lf) is present in plasma and in mucosal secretions. Using ELISA we analysed plasma and saliva of HIV-infected patients, patients with AIDS, and healthy controls for the presence of secreted Lf. The plasma Lf levels of AIDS patients (classification C3) were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) as compared to asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV-infected patients, or controls. In addition, plasma Lf levels closely correlated with neutrophilic granulocyte counts in the HIV-infected patients. Thus, basal plasma Lf levels are likely the result of Lf release by neutrophilic granulocytes. The Candida titres present in the oral cavity were determined in a part of the HIV-infected patient group. As it appeared the presence of this opportunistic pathogen always coincided with low levels of salivary Lf levels. We conclude that Lf as part of the nonspecific immune system, might play an important role in the first line of defense against opportunistic microbial infections in AIDS patients.
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In one article I came across stated two year use of prednisolone controlled T-cell counts. I didn't see any reference to documentation, so I looked up medline and found that while CD4+ cells increased, CD8+ and NK cells decreased. This only weakens the immune system. Hopefully, the herbs that inhibit reverse transcriptase and virus adsorption will keep FIV virus under control so as not to have to use corticosteroids any further than the initial treatment. Some herbs have been noted to decrease virual load a small amount. I think this should at least control the virus which is at a low level after corticosteroid treatment. One HIV-1 trial in France shows only a small decrease in CD8+ cells and concludes that prednisolone is safe and effective for treating asymptomatic patients. I still think that CD8+ decrease is a problem and must be considered when treating FIV. It should be noted in trial that the patience were asymptomatic (no opportunistic infections) with a CD4 count 200 or better. Lymphadenopathies decreased or disappeared and virual load stable. In Patent No. US5846961 lymphadenopathies disappeared.
Vitamin C, E, A and NAC was used in patent treatment. I noted on a human trial result that short-term, high-dose combination treatment with NAC and vitamin C in patients with HIV infection and advanced immunodeficiency lead to immunological and virological effects that might be of therapeutic value. This was virual drop of 0.8 log, and enhanced lymphocyte proliferation on patients in 6 days that had CD4 count less than 200. Persons with counts above 200 did not have significant changes.
Medline.....
Eur J Clin Invest 2000 Oct 19;30(10):905-914 Virological and immunological effects of antioxidant treatment in patients with HIV infection.
Muller F, Svardal AM, Nordoy I, Berge RK, Aukrust P, Froland SS University of Oslo, The National Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, University of Bergen, Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway
BACKGROUND: Intracellular oxidative stress in CD4+ lymphocytes due to disturbed glutathione homeostasis may lead to impaired lymphocyte functions and enhanced HIV replication in patients with HIV infection, especially in those with advanced immunodeficiency. The aim of the present study was to assess whether short-term, high-dose antioxidant treatment might have effects on immunological and virological parameters in patients with HIV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this pitol study, we examined virological and immunological effects of antioxidant combination treatment for 6 days with high doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin C in 8 patients with HIV infection. The following were assayed before, during and after antioxidant treatment: HIV RNA plasma levels; numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and CD14+ leukocytes in blood; plasma thiols; intracellular glutathione redox status in CD4+ lymphocytes and CD14+ moncytes; lymphocyte proliferation; lymphocyte apoptosis and plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha; soluble TNF receptors and neopterin in plasma. RESULTS: No significant changes in HIV RNA plasma levels or CD4+ lymphocyte counts in blood were noted during antioxidant treatment in the patient group. However, in the 5 patients with the most advanced immunodeficiency (CD4+ lymphocyte counts less than 200 x 106 L-1), a significant rise in CD4+ lymphocyte count, a reduction in HIV RNA plasma level of 0.8 log, an enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and an increased level of intracellular gluathione in CD4+ lyphocytes were found. No change in lymphocyte apoptosis was noted. CONCOLUSIONS: Short-term, high-dose combination treatment with NAC and vitamin C in patients with HIV infection and advanced immunodeficiency lead to immunological and virological effects that might be of therapeutic value.
Comment....They used an initial injection of NAC because of bioavailability problem(10%). There was a trend reduction of virual load (their comment... no significant change). I see a problem where NAC and vitamin C only slow the progression to AIDS in asymptomatic patients.
Exogenous glucocorticoids alter parameters of early feline immunodeficiency virus infection.
J Infect Dis 2000 Feb;181(2):576-86 (ISSN: 0022-1899)
Barr MC; Huitron-Resendiz S; Selway DR; Henriksen SJ; Phillips TR
Immune Complex Corporation, San Disgo, CA 92129, USA.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus, causes progressive immunosuppression and neurologic dysfunction in cats. Glucocorticoids are common therapeutic agents that are also immunosuppressive, and their use might enhance the pathogenic effects of lentivirus infections. Methyprednisolone acetate, a long-acting glucocorticoid, was administered to cats before FIV inoculation, and the course of early infection was monitored. The humoral immune response to FIV was not affected by corticosteroid treatment, but CD8+ cell-mediated antiviral activity was poor in cultures from FIV-infected cats treated with methylprednisolone. Steroid-treated cats had higher plasma viral RNA levels than untreated cats during acute viremia. In contrast, FIV-associated changes in brain stem auditory-evoked potentials were slow to develop in the methylprednisolone treated cats. Methylprednisolone treatment of cats with established FIV infections appeared to reverse these neurophysiologic changes. These results emphasize the complexity of host-lentivirus interactions and suggest potential advantages and drawbacks of using glucocorticoids in lentivirus infections.
Effects of single dose compared with three days' prednisolone treatment of healthy volunteers: contrasting effects on circulating lymphocyte subsets.
J Clin Pathol 1993 Dec;46(12):1089-92 (ISSN: 0021-9746)
AIMS--To investigate the effects of longer term corticosteroid treatment on circulating lymphocyte subsets. METHODS--Prednisolone (20 mg daily) was given to 12 healthy volunteers in a single morning dose for three days. Circulating lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry after whole blood lysis. RESULTS--Seven hours after the first dose of prednisolone there was a significant fall in absolute numbers of lymphocytes, T cells, CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and B cells. The percentage of T cells fell significantly, due to a fall in percentage of CD4+ cells. In contrast to the seven hour findings, at 72 hours there was a significant rise in absolute numbers of lymphocytes, T cells, CD4+, CD8+, and B cells. This trend was already apparent by 24 hours. The percentage of CD4+ cells was significantly raised at 72 hours, while that of CD8+ cells had fallen significantly. The percentage of natural killer cells had fallen at 72 hours; that of B cells remained increased at 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS--These findings show that corticosteroid treatment causes significant changes in lymphocyte subsets, and that such changes must be considered when designing studies of lymphocyte subsets during illness.
Increase of the CD4 count and stabilization of the viral load in 44 HIV+ asymptomatic patients treated by prednisolone for one year.
Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):46(abstract no. 157B)
Andrieu JM; Lu W; Levy R; Salerno-Goncalvez R; Yuan J; Erne D; Sala M; Lowenstein W; Tourani JM; Stern M
Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Hopital Laennec, Universite de Paris V, France.
OBJECTIVE: To test the viro-immunoregulatory effects of glucocoticoids in HIV-1-infected patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1 July 1992 to 19 February 1993, 44 HIV-1-infected patients (CDC II 24, CDC III 20; CD4 cells/microliters {median +/- SE}, 438 +/- 21) received prednisolone (PDN) orally 0.5 mg/kg from Day 0 to Day 180/240 and 0.3 mg/kg thereafter. All of them signed an informed consent. After 1 year of treatment, no major side effects occurred. All patients remained clinically asymptomatic. Lymphadenopathies decreased or disappeared in 16/20 CDC III patients (P less than 0.001). The median CD4 count increased rapidly with a peak gain greater than 200 cells/microliters at Day 15 and then stabilized with a net gain greater than 100 cells/microliters until Day 360. In contraast, the CD8 count (mean +/- SD; cells/microliter) remained unchanged (Day 0, 1161 +/- 706; Day 360, 1093 +/- 659). The % of apoptotic T cells upon to in vitro TCR/CD3 ligation (12 hrs) decreased significantly as from Day 15. Parameters of hyperimmune activation (serum IgG, IgA, beta 2-microglubulin as well as CD4+/DR+ and CD4+/CD25+ phenotypes) decreased significantly as from Day 120. Serum P24 antigen (mean +/- SD; pg/ml) which was positive in 11 patients remained stable (Day 0 332 +/- 358; Day 360, 366 +/- 484). All P24-negative patients remained negative under PDN. Cellulur HIV DNA and mRNA (copies/10(6) PBMC) and serum HIV RNA (virions/ml) remained also stable. The 31 patients with 200-499 CD4 cells/microliters and the 13 patients with 500-775 CD4 cells/microliters had similar responses to PDN. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: PDN is safe and effective for treating asymptomatic patients with CD4 count greater or equal to 200 cells/microliters. After one year of treatment, the viral load remained stable, the hyperimmune activity tended to normalization and a median gain of greater that 100 CD4 cells/microliters was attained. The increased CD4 count is probably related to the in vivo anti-apoptotic activity of PDN that we have also demonstrated in vitro (Abstract, Lu Wei et al).
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Medline.......
Long term immunological effect of ginseng on HIV-infected patients.
Abstr Gen Meet Am Soc Microbiol 1997 May 4-8;97:247 (abstract no. E44) (ISSN: 1060-2011)
Cho YK; Lee HJ; Oh WI; Kim YK
College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.
We have tried Korean red ginseng (KRG; daily 5.4g) to 16 HIV infected patients (pts) for 47 plus or minus 6 months (mo) (range; 40-57 mo). Follow up period was 53 plus or minus 9 mo (r; 41-69). The CD4+ T cells(CD4+ T), serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2-M), soluble CD8 antigen (sCD8), and ICD p24 antigen (p24) were measured every 6 months and compared to those of contol group (n=10 pts) without KRG or any antiretroviral drug. Baseline CD4+ T was 301 plus or minus 117/microliter (r; 131-537) in KRG group and increase to 362 plus or minus 167/microliters (P is less than 0.05), 370 plus or minus 190/microliter (P is less 0.05), 393 plus or minus 172/microliters (P is less than 0.01) and 362 plus or minus 171/microliters (P=0.07), on 6, 12. 24 and 36 mo, respectively. Last CD4+ T increased to 359 plus or minus 215/microliters (r; 29-921) on 53 mo, whereas in control, CD4+ T decreased from 352 plus or minus 133/microliters to 156 plus or minus 109/microliters during 42 plus or minus 8 mo (r; 32-57) (P is less than 0.01). Ten of 12 pts with baseline CD4+ T greater than 200/microliters showed increased level at final test. Particularly, 2 of 10 pts showed completed reversion of CD4/CD8 ratio. The sCD8 decreased from 682 plus or minus 258 (U/ml) to 551 plus or minus 210 for 53 mo in pts treated with KRG (P is less than 0.01). Beta2-M also decreased from 2.48 plus or minus 0.8 (mg/L) to 2.21 plus or minus 0.5 (P=0.06). Mean body weight significantly increased (P is less than 0.05). Baseline p24 was positive for 6 pts with KRG. The last p24 decreased in the 4 of 6 pts. Of all markers above, the change of sCD8 by KRG intake showed definite correlation. The study suggests that KRG has definite long-term immune modulating effect without side effect on HIV-infected patients.
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Melatonin activates Th1 lymphocytes by increasing IL-12 production.
Life Sci 1999;65(20):2143-50 (ISSN: 0024-3205)
Garcia-Maurino S; Pozo D; Carrillo-Vico A; Calvo JR; Guerrero JM
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Spain.
Melatonin could act on immune system by regulating cytokine production of immunocompetent cells. The hormone enhances IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL-6 production by cultured human mononuclear cells. As enhancement of IL-6 production is related to monocyte activation by melatonin, the hormone acts on human lymphoid cells causing a Th1-type response. This paper shows that melatonin seems to promote a Th1-response by increasing IL-12 production. The hormone enhances IL-12 production by cultered monocytes under suboptimal stimulation in a dose-dependent way. The effect of the hormone increases when PBMCs are incubated with melatonin before monocyte isolation. Enhanced IL-12 production by melatonin can also be shown in cultured human mononuclear cells.
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In doing some further research I found the following on medline
Antioxidants inhibit stimulation of HIV transcription.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 1993 Apr;9(4):299-306 (ISSN: 0889-2229)
Staal FJ; Roederer M; Raju PA; Anderson MT; Ela SW; Herzenberg LA; Herzenberg LA
Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
In studies presented here, we demonstrate that antioxidants regulate NF-kappa B activation and signal transduction pathways leading to HIV expression. We show (1) that N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant and an efficient glutathione (GSH) precursor, inhibits NF-kappa B activation and HIV expression under conditions in which GSH is depleted and NAC cannot be converted to GSH, (2) that the D-stereoisomer of NAC and a wide variety of chemically unrelated antioxidants also inhibit NF-kappa B activation and/or transcription directed by the HIV LTR and (3) that depletion of GSH, the principal intracellular antioxidant, augments HIV production in an acute infection model. Taken together, these findings suggest direct antioxidant action as the mechanism for inhibition of HIV transcription by NAC. They also confirm that GSH, acting in its capacity as an antioxidant, regulates HIV expression and that exogenous antioxidants can potentiate this regulation.
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COMMENT
I had problem figuring out why NAC and vitamin C created a virual drop of 0.8log in patients with CD4 count less than 200, but counts above 200 did not have significant changes. The medline abstract above seems to explain that GSH was depleted and NAC could not be converted to GSH at less than CD4 200. Surprise, NAC did not work effectively when GSH was not depleted.
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Immune Booster Helps HIV Patients, Study Says (October 25)
Researchers have also found that adding IL-2 to drug cocktails helps the patients' immune systems.
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ROOIBOS TEA (Aspalathus linearis)
PATENT US5929047: Anti-viral agent prepared by basic and acidic extraction of mangraves
EXAMPLE 9
Ten one month old kittens were divided into two groups, one is control group which was given no acidic polysaccharides with foods and the other is an experimental group which was given 2 mg of the acidic polysaccharides obtained from the plants per day with foods for one month, and every kitten was injected several times with 0.5ml of cat AIDS(feline immuno deficiency virus positive) blood. After the injection of the blood, the kittens were observed for the next two months. An antibody value of the AIDS virus was inspected. 20% of the experimental group was infected with AIDS and 100% of the control group was infected.
EXAMPLE 10
5 to 8 year old cats infected with cat AIDS(feline immuno deficiency) and feline infectious leukemia were fed with foods containing 2 mg/day of the acidic polysaccharides for 3 to 6 months to observe the improvements of the symptoms.
Instead of mixing the acidic polysaccharides with foods, the alkline extract obtained in the Example 4 was injected very other day intramuscularly with 0.5 ml as 2 mg/kg weight. The experiment was conducted on 6 cats for each case.
The results show that 60% of the groupd ingesting the acidic polysaccharides with foods, symptoms were improved, but no improvement in symptoms was observed in the groupd ingesting no acidic polysaccharides with foods. 80% of the group injected with the alkaline extract was improved in symptoms.
Medline Abstract.......
Polysaccharide from Aspalathus linearis with strong anti-HIV activity
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1997 Feb;61(2):267-71 (ISSN: 0916-8451)
Nakano M;Itoh Y; Mizuno T; Nakashima H
Institue for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Japan. Polysaccharide that has been extracted with 1% sodium carbonate from Rooibos leaves (Aspalathus linearis) showed strong anti-HIV activity.... A hot water extract of Aspalathus linearis did not. The anti-HIV activity of the alkaline extract from Aspalathus linearis was recovered mainly in the 25-75% ethanol-precipitated fraction. The polysaccharide almost completely inhibited the binding of HIV-1 to MT-4 cells. It is inferred from these results that the polysaccharide from Aspalathus linearis is involved in the mechanism for virus binding to cells.
