Herbal medicines may slow down HIV

BANDUNG: Many of the country's herbal medicines contain substances that may be able to combat the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a new professor in pharmacology says.

Supriyatna, of the state-run Padjadjaran University said in his inauguration speech on Tuesday, that cells of 30 herbs he has researched over the past decade, prompted a negative response from HIV, a virus which leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) symptoms.

During research on mahogany (swietenia mahogani), the professor discovered esther metyl chlorogenat and chlorogenat acid substances which could slow HIV growth up to 60 percent and 50 percent respectively, Supriyatna told an academic session presided over by university rector Abdullah Himendra.

"It was a cellular test and has not progressed to clinical research. It will take us a long time to eventually produce medicines for human consumption."

Supriyatna called on the government to follow up his study, saying that Indonesia would benefit from the sale of HIV treatments. (43)