Anti-HIV Ermiasolides from .

In recent years, elucidation of novel anti-HIV bioactive compounds from natural products is gaining importance rapidly, not only from the research and publications, but also from controlled clinical studies. Here we report three new anti-HIV eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes, 5β-Hydroxy-8α-methoxy eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (), 5β,8α-Dihydroxy eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide () and 5β-Hydroxy-8H-β-eudesm-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (). These are trivially named ermiasolide A-C and were isolated from the bark of .

Anti-HIV crotocascarin ω from Kenyan .

An anti-HIV methanol-soluble fraction of a 1:1 CHCl:CHOH extract of twigs of a Kenyan yielded seven compounds, the new crotocascarin ω (), the known β-oplopanone (), dihydroconiferyl acetate (), 3'(4''-hydroxyphenyl)-propyl benzoate (), lupeol, sitosterol and stigmasterol. Crotocascarin ω (90%) inhibited HIV-1 replication with an IC value of 5.3 nM, and the compound was cytotoxic towards MT-4 cells presenting an IC value of 84 µM.

Constituents of with Potential Anti-HIV Activity.

Reported herein is an anti-HIV monochlorinated compound, 1β-acetoxy-3β-chloro-5α,6α-dihydroxycrotocascarin L (), of the rare crotofolane diterpenoid class. Compound , a suspected artifact of extraction, along with the previously undescribed 11β-acetoxycrotocascarin L () and a known compound, crotocascarin K (), were isolated from the bark of , a Kenyan oil-producing seed crop. Compounds and inhibited HIV-1 replication with IC values of 28 and 5.

In vitro anti-HIV and cytotoxic effects of pure compounds isolated from Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile.

Croton macrostachyus is an important plant in traditional African medicine, widely utilized to treat a variety of diseases. In Kenya, HIV-infected patients use leaf and root decoctions of the plant as a cure for cough, back pain, bleeding, skin diseases, warts, pneumonia, and wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-HIV activities and cytotoxic effects of extracts and chemical constituents isolated from C.

Effects of cytochrome P450 2B6 and constitutive androstane receptor genetic variation on Efavirenz plasma concentrations among HIV patients in Kenya.

The effects of genetic variation of cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) on efavirenz (EFV) plasma concentration was evaluated among 312 HIV patients in Nairobi Kenya. The EFV plasma concentration at steady-state were determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with a tandem quadruple mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Thirteen CYP2B6 (329G>T, 341T>C, 444 G>T/C, 15582C>T, 516G>T, 548T>G, 637T>C, 785A>G, 18492C>T, 835G>C, 1459C>T and 21563C>T) and one CAR (540C>T) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anti-HIV Activity of Crude Extracts of , and .

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects the body's defense mechanisms and leads to a number of opportunistic infections which later cause fatality as a result of an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). More than half a million individuals have lost their life in 2020 due to this disease. Antiretroviral drugs have played a great role in improving the quality of life of HIV infected individuals.

Cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activities of extracts of the twigs of Croton dichogamus Pax.

Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a clinical syndrome resulting from infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes profound immunosuppression. Anti-HIV drugs that are currently available are chemically synthesized and are frequently limited by side effects, the emergence of drug resistance, affordability, and availability, with over 5 million people in the world lacking access to treatment. As a result, to discover new anti-HIV agents, we investigated the effects of Kenyan C.

Association between social psychological status and efavirenz and nevirapine plasma concentration among HIV patients in Kenya.

HIV-related stigma, lack of disclosure and social support are still hindrances to HIV testing, care, and prevention. We assessed the association of these social-psychological statuses with nevirapine (NVP) and efavirenz (EFV) plasma concentrations among HIV patients in Kenya. Blood samples were obtained from 254 and 312 consenting HIV patients on NVP- and EFV-based first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART), respectively, and a detailed structured questionnaire was administered.

Examination of WHO/INRUD Core Drug Use Indicators at Public Primary Healthcare Centers in Kisii County, Kenya.

Background: Irrational drug use is a global problem. However, the extent of the problem is higher in low-income countries. This study sets out to assess and characterize drug use at the public primary healthcare centers (PPHCCs) in a rural county in Kenya, using the World Health Organization/International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (WHO/INRUD) core drug use indicators methodology.

Comparison of Zidovudine and Tenofovir Based Regimens With Regard to Health-Related Quality of Life and Prevalence of Symptoms in HIV Patients in a Kenyan Referral Hospital.

Zidovudine and tenofovir form the backbone of antiretroviral therapy in Kenya. However, their side-effects may affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The aim was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult patients on tenofovir versus zidovudine based regimens in a referral hospital in Kenya to provide future guidance.

Antiplasmodial prenylated flavanonols from Tephrosia subtriflora.

The CHCl/MeOH (1:1) extract of the aerial parts of Tephrosia subtriflora afforded a new flavanonol, named subtriflavanonol (1), along with the known flavanone spinoflavanone B, and the known flavanonols MS-II (2) and mundulinol. The structures were elucidated by the use of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The absolute configuration of the flavanonols was determined based on quantum chemical ECD calculations.

Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Kenya--Key Informant Interviews.

Introduction: Worldwide, plant based medicines are increasing in popularity due to perceptions of safety and efficacy. Herbalists in Kenya are widely consulted for the management of many diseases including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the level of knowledge of the herbalists in management of T2DM.

Pharmacological evidence for the folk use of Nefang: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of its constituent plants.

Background: Nefang is a polyherbal anti-malarial composed of Mangifera indica ( MiB and MiL; bark and leaf), Psidium guajava ( Pg ), Carica papaya ( Cp ), Cymbopogon citratus ( Cc ), Citrus sinensis ( Cs ) and Ocimum gratissimum ( Og ) (leaves). Previous studies have demonstrated its in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activities, antioxidant properties and safety profile. This study aimed at evaluating the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the constituent plants of Nefang which are relevant to the symptomatic treatment of malaria fever.

Cytochrome P450 2B6 genetic variants are associated with plasma nevirapine levels and clinical response in HIV-1 infected Kenyan women: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) affect the steady state plasma concentration of nevirapine. CYP2B6 516G>T and 983T>C are common in African populations, but data on their influence on plasma nevirapine concentration and clinical response in African women are limited. We investigated the impact of CYP 516G>T and 983T>C on plasma nevirapine concentration and clinical outcomes in a prospective cohort study of HIV-infected Kenyan women.

Anti-malarial activity of a polyherbal product (Nefang) during early and established Plasmodium infection in rodent models.

Background: The emerging resistance of Plasmodium species to currently available anti-malarials remains a public health concern, hence the need for new effective, safe and affordable drugs. Natural products remain a reliable source of drugs. Nefang is a polyherbal anti-malarial of the Cameroonian folklore medicine with demonstrated in vitro antiplasmodial and antioxidant activities.

In vitro antiplasmodial activities and synergistic combinations of differential solvent extracts of the polyherbal product, Nefang.

Nefang, a polyherbal product composed of Mangifera indica (bark and leaf), Psidium guajava, Carica papaya, Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus sinensis, and Ocimum gratissimum (leaves), is a potential therapy against P. falciparum malaria. In vitro antiplasmodial activities of its constituent solvent extracts were analyzed on CQ-sensitive (3D7) and multidrug resistant (Dd2) P.

Antioxidant potential of a polyherbal antimalarial as an indicator of its therapeutic value.

Nefang is a polyherbal product composed of Mangifera indica (bark and leaf), Psidium guajava, Carica papaya, Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus sinensis, and Ocimum gratissimum (leaves), used for the treatment of malaria. Compounds with antioxidant activity are believed to modulate plasmodial infection. Antioxidant activity of the constituent aqueous plants extracts, in vitro, was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic content (TPC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods and, in vivo, Nefang (100 and 500 mg kg(-1)) activity was evaluated in carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stressed Wistar rats.