Abstract no.

CDC 037

In vitro screening of traditional

herbal medicinal extracts for their
anti-HIV activity
(in Nagoya University, Japan)

M. Rafiq1,2, A. Awan3, S. Isomura2, N. Yamamoto2,

S.A. Rasool4, M. Zardari1
Shah Abdul Latif University, Microbiology, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan, 2Nagoya
1

University, International Helath, Nagoya, Japan, 3Research MedX, Clinical

Research, Karachi, Pakistan, 4University of Karachi, Microbiology, Karachi,
Pakistan
 Background
Many people living with HIV/AIDS use herbal medicines
as the alternative therapies.

In recent times focus on plant research has increased on

the global level.

Effective therapies for HIV infection are being sought far

and wide (in the laboratories and medical practice).

Our in vitro studies on the selected herbal drugs will help

medical practitioner to opt for such therapeutic drug(s).
 Methods
After a research based survey of traditional medicinal
sources, some of the herbal and traditional medicines
were selected, as prospective candidates for in vitro
studies.

The present study covers the primary screening of anti-

HIV agents, from the indigenous traditional medicinal
crude extracts using MTT assay, in the cell culture
(HTLV-I transformed MT 4 cell lines).

The principle of (primary) screening for anti-HIV was, to

find out inhibitory concentration (IC) of the test samples
which prevent HIV-I induced cytopathic effects.
 Results
The amount of extract required to inhibit HIV-I
replication by 50 % (IC50) in MT 4 cell culture, and the
dose that reduced the viability of uninfected cells by 50
% (CC50) were observed.

The ratio of IC50 /CC50 was calculated as selectivity

index (SI). One herbal water extract (Baariz) in the
concentration of 2000 ug/ml to16 ug/ml was found
highly bioactive against HIV in vitro.

The plant is available in Pakistan, whereas, the other

sets of extracts obtained from different plant sources,
have shown as good, moderate and mild anti-HIV
activity (in vitro) in the concentration of 200 ug/ml to
1.6 ug/ml.
MTT Assay - Baariz
 Results
In another set of observation
when this herbal water extract Anti - HIV / AIDS Activity of Baariz

(Baariz) was given in natural

HIV Eradicated
product dose to 31 HIV/AIDS Reduction in Virus
Load
patients, it showed a Loss to Follow

remarkable success in
eradicating HIV virus in 20
patients, while a sharp decline
in HIV virus load in 6 patients
was noted.
 Conclusion
❖This is highly bioactive indigenous traditional
herbal medicine / formulation

❖Carry high potential to fight against HIV

infection.

❖It is used in the community (in crude form) for

treating different ailments without any known
drug adverse effects.

❖Further purification of the drug can unfold new

research avenues.
Pt. M Jamal – Pre-Treatment
Pt. M Jamal – During Treatment
Pt. M Jamal – Post Treatment
Pt. Mr. Khan – Pre-Treatment
Pt. Mr. Khan – DuringTreatment
Pt. Mr. Khan – Post Treatment
Pt. Mr. Khan – PostTreatment
Follow-up
Pt. Mr. Sher – Pre-Treatment
Pt. Mr. Sher – Post Treatment
Pt. Mr. Yamin – Pre-Treatment
Pt. Mr. Yamin – Post Treatment
Pt. Mr. Zarbad – Pre-Treatment
Pt. Mr. Zarbad – Post Treatment
Pt. Mr. Razaq – Pre-Treatment
Pt. Mr. Razaq – Post-Treatment
B Baariz
 Contact Details
Dr. Asim Awan
Office # 5, 5th Floor
Clinic Tower, Rimpa Plaza
M. A. Jinnah Road
Karachi, Pakistan.

Tell:+92301 – 8265 665

+9221 – 36720 463
Email: drasim@baariz.com
drasimawan@yahoo.com
Web: www.baariz.com