AEGiS-GMHC: Common Alternative Therapies: Acemannan (CARRISYN)

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Common Alternative Therapies: Acemannan (CARRISYN)

Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland

Acemannan (trade name Carrisyn) is a freeze-dried powder form of juices extracted from the aloe vera plant. Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its healing properties, especially for burns. Some pre-clinical experiments have suggested that Carrysin may have both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects in vitro.[1] Manufactured by Carrington Labs in Irving, Texas, Carrisyn has been studied in PWAs in a number of clinical trials.

Canadian researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating 400mg of Carrisyn (four times a day) as an adjunct to antiretroviral therapy (AZT or ddI) in 62 HIV-positive individuals (CD4 counts between 50 to 300). It was hoped that Carrisyn would enhance the efficacy of AZT and ddI. No serious side effects were observed, although there were reports of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. After 48 weeks, no difference was seen in regard to either CD4 count or p24 antigen level.[2, 3]

Another trial in 47 HIV-positive individuals with no symptoms or ARC concluded that Carrisyn is well tolerated and non-toxic but had no effect on modifying the toxicity of AZT.[4]

Studies conducted on behalf of the manufacturer found that of 41 patients given Carrisyn (250mg, four times daily) in several different studies[5, 6], 24 had a 10 percent or greater increase in absolute CD4 cell levels, a reduction in p24 antigen levels, and a reduction in their Walter Reed clinical classification score. Those with CD4 cell levels above 150 cells and p24 antigen levels less than 300pg/dL had better response rates than those with lower CD4 and higher p24 levels.

There is no evidence that aloe vera juice has sufficient levels of acemannan to provide any anti-HIV or immunostimulatory effect. Aloe juice can, however, cause diarrhea.

1. McDaniel HR, et al. Abstract p-121. American Society of Clinical Pathologists. 1987.

2. Ruedy J, et al. Abstract PuB 7488.VIII International Conference on AIDS. 1992.

3. Singer J, et al. Abstract PO-B28-2153. IX International Conference on AIDS. 1993.

4. Weerts D, et al. Abstract S.B. 469. VI International Conference on AIDS. 1990.

5. McDaniel HR, et al. Abstract S.B. 493. VI International Conference on AIDS. 1990.

6. McDaniel HR, et al. Abstract 3566. IV International Conference on AIDS. 1988.

See Also:

Gingell B. Treatment Issues. 1987; 1:2. Korsia S. IHITTG. 1991; 5:3.

Copyright © 1993 - Treatment Issues. Reproduced with permission. Treatment Issues is published twelve times yearly by GMHC, Inc. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. GMHC Treatment Issues, The Tisch Building, 119 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011 fredg@gmhc.org http://www.gmhc.org

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