Herbal medicines may slow down HIV

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)