11th International AIDS Conference Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:29 (abstract no. LB.B.6036)
Young KC, Hee JL, Eun SK, Won IO; Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea. Fax: 82 (02) 224-4283.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of snail Achatina fulica Bowdich extract (AFE) in HIV-infected individuals (HIV+). The anti-HIV effect of the purified components from Achatina fulica in vitro was already confirmed by Ashok D. Patil et al (J Med Chem. 1993 Dec 24;36(26):4131-8).

METHODS: Thirty HIV+ were treated with AFE (Chunho extract; 100 ml/pack, whole aqueous extract of snail as a main component and other plants as an additive). Dose of AFE was 2 packs a day orally. Blood samplings and questionnaire were done every month (mo) after take. CD4+ cell count, and serum ICD-p24 antigen (p24, Dupont) were measured.

RESULTS: Mean follow-up period after treatment was 5.5 mo (range: 2-19). At the beginning of study, 14 had serum p24 level over 25 pg/ml. During treatment, the mean level decreased from 109 plus or minus 110 to 67 plus or minus 74 pg/ml (P is less than 0.01). For the same period after the end of treatment, the level re-increased to 130 plus or minus 137 pg/ml in all 14 HIV+ (P is less than 0.05). There were significant increases of CD4+ T cell % (P is less than 0.01) and the ratio of CD4/CD8+ T cell (P is less than 0.01) from mo. 1 to the last. The number of responder by CD4+ T cell % was 20 of 30 (67%). Among the responder, 10 HIV+ showed the increase over 50%, compared to baseline. Body weight increased average 1.82 kg (P is less than 0.05). In a patient treated continuously for 19 mo, the mean increase of CD4+ T cell % and counts over 11 times was 67% and 85%, respectively, compared to baseline value, and p24 decreased from 40 pg/ml to 0. There was no resistance phenomena by surrogate markers.

CONCLUSIONS: These data definitely mean that the aqueous extract of Achatina fulica Bowdich has an anti-HIV effect and immune enhancement effect without side effects in HIV-infected individuals.

960707
LBB6036

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