Measuring the immune response to Dzherelo
Dzherelo, is made from a combination of medicinal plants and used in Ukraine to treat tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infections.
In this study, Dzherelo had a positive effect on the immune status and viral burden in patients treated for TB.
First, the details.
- 40 patient with HIV and TB were randomly assigned to take 50 drops of Dzherelo twice daily plus anti TB medicines or just the TB medicines (isoniazid, rimfapicin, pyrazinamide, streptomycin, and ethambutol).
- Treatment lasted 2 months.
- None of the patients had received antiretroviral (HIV) treatment in the past.
And, the results.
- CD3+ lymphocytes, CD4 T-cells, and the percent of CD3+HLA-DR+ activated lymphocytes increased significantly with Dzherelo but not in the other group.
- The CD4/CD8 cell ratio improved significantly with Dzherelo but not in the other group.
- CD3-CD16+CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells declined significantly with Dzherelo but not in the other group.
- Viral load decreased significantly with Dzherelo, but increased in the other group.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Dzherelo has a favorable effect on the immune status and viral burden in HIV/TB patients when given as the immunomodulating adjunct to anti-tuberculosis therapy.
This was a phase 2 study, so the outcomes met the objectives — at this dose there was a positive immune response to Dzherelo.
What’s needed is a study to show a change in cure rate.
The medical literature is mum about what’s in Dzherelo, except to say it’s derived from botanical sources.
6/22/08 10:49 JR