| CLINICAL RESEARCH |
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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 31
| Issue : 2 | Page : 197-204 |
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A short-term intervention trial on HIV positive patients using a Sri Lankan classical rasayana drug - Ranahamsa Rasayanaya
K.I.W.K Somarathna1, HM Chandola1, B Ravishankar2, KN Pandya3, A.M.P Attanayake4
1 Department of Kayachikitsa, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
2 Department of Pharmacology Laboratory, I.P.G.T.& R.A., Jamnagar,Gujarat,India
3 Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Ward, M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar,Gujarat,India
4 Department of Medicine, M.P.I.Y.N.E.R., Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence Address:
K.I.W.K Somarathna
Lecturer, Department of Kayachikitsa, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, Rajgiriya, Sri Lanka
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.72393
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Rational use of Rasayana therapy, in the management of HIV infected individuals, could potentially stabilize the destructive control mechanisms, by modulating the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune axis. The objective of the present study has been to determine the short-term effects of Ranahamsa Rasayanaya (RR) in HIV infected patients. A total of 27 patients with documented HIV infection were randomly assigned to two groups, Group A - 5 g of RR twice daily with cow's milk and sugar. Group B - Only routine modern therapy was continued, if any they were taking, including highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Absolute CD4 + T-cell and total lymphocyte counts were measured in these patients, registered under Group A. Only 21 participants completed the study protocol (In Group A, 15 patients and in Group B, 6 patients). Initial mean CD4 + T-cell count was 304.50 ± 43.36 cells/microliter, which increased to 430.44 ± 66.01 cells/microliter by 41.36% (P<0.05), measured among 9 patients out of 15, who received RR in Group A. The RR seemed to be a safer adjuvant in people with HIV infection with respect to absolute CD4 + T-cell count over a 90 days treatment. |
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