Effect of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Patterns and Renal Functions of HIV/AIDS Patients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Drugs (HAART)

Aims: HIV infection is managed by expensive ARVs that cause side effects and lead to drug resistance and drug failure. The use of nutritional remedies in the treatment of HIV/AIDS is becoming popular. Moringa oleifera is a nutrient-dense plant with medicinal properties that results from its wide range of phytochemicals. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera supplementation on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell patterns, and also renal functions of HIV/AIDS patients receiving highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART).

Study Design: A quasi-experimental study of regression discontinuity type was carried out at the Comprehensive Care Center of Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Methodology: One hundred and seventy-three HIV seropositive participants treated with ARV and attending the regular clinic were assigned to the intervention group (n=99) supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf powder or the control group (n=74) that was not supplemented. The primary endpoints for this study were the safety and influence of M. oleifera supplementation on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell patterns. The results were obtained as computer printouts of the BD FACSCalibur analyzer for the CD4 and the CD8 T cell counts and the HumaLyzer Primus Chemistry Analyzer for creatinine levels, and analyzed using the computer software XLSTAT 2021.2.1. Any time-dependent variations within the individual groups were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc tests. Variations between the two study groups were analyzed using unpaired t-tests. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: No significant differences in CD4+ (p = 0.523) and CD8+ T cell counts (p= 0.908), were found between the supplemented and non-supplemented groups. However, M. oleifera supplementation did not have an effect on renal function.

Conclusion: The study concluded that M. oleifera supplementation does not have an effect on immune functions in HIV/AIDS patients. Consumption of M. oleifera is safe.