(ATDN) St. John's Wort Herb

(ATDN) St. John's Wort Herb

Treatment Review No. 11; April 1994

A new pill form of hypericin is being studied as a treatment for HIV infection. Hypericin comes from an herb called St. John's Wort. Scientists have created a synthetic version of this substance to test as a drug. In laboratory tests hypericin worked well against HIV. Hypericin has also shown activity in the test tube against some other viruses, including CMV and herpes simplex. Early studies of hypericin in pill form have not been effective. It is hoped that this new formulation will result in higher concentrations of hypericin in the blood. To participate in this study, you must be HIV+ and have a T4 cell count under 350. You cannot have an active opportunistic infection or be taking an antiretroviral such as AZT, ddI or ddC within one month of starting the study. Other drugs are not allowed. Everyone will take hypericin daily.

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ATR01103

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©1994. AEGIS.