Abstract:
Moringa oleifera (M. Oleifera) is widely used as source of nutrition and as traditional
medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Herpes simplex infection is among the major
opportunistic infections among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). To date, there is
no vaccination against the Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) and the recommended
antiviral drugs have only a modest effect against the virus. The aim of this study was to
determine the determinants of use and antiviral activity of Moringa oleifera extracts among
PLWHA attending Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) at Migori County Referral Hospital.
The study was cross-sectional in which 278 PLWHA attending CCC at Migori County
Referral Hospital were selected by systematic sampling while 9 herbalists were sampled
through the snowballing technique. Quantitative data was collected using semi structured
questionnaires and analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS V.22). Chi square test was used to compare categorical variables with a level of significance at p ≤ 0.05.
M. Oleifera leaves were collected from the field and botanically identified at the University
of Nairobi Herbarium. Aqueous and methanol extracts were tested for cytotoxicity by
tetrazolium dye (MTT) and anti-herpes activity screened by cytopathic effect reduction and
MTT assay using Vero cells and HSV-1. The study revealed that M. Oleifera is commonly
(75.5%) used among PLWHA attending comprehensive care clinics (CCC) at Migori
County Referral Hospital. The socio-demographic profile indicates that, age was the only
significant factor associated with the use of M. Oleifera among PLWHA attending
comprehensive care clinic. The commonly used part of the tree was the leaves (64.3%). The
majority of the respondents (99%) had not experienced any side effects after using M.
Oleifera together with HIV drugs. The findings indicate that distance to the health facility
and the long awaiting time during health facility visits were the two significant health
systems level factors associated with the use and non-use of M. Oleifera. Aqueous and
methanol extracts of M. Oleifera are not toxic to vero cells and have antiviral activity against
HSV-1. There is a need to formulate policy and legal framework to govern the herbal
medicine practices among PLWHA attending CCC at Migori County Referral Hospital.
Sensitization of people against stigma towards PLWHA is required. Specific phytochemicals
responsible for antiviral activity against HSV-1 in aqueous and methanol extracts need to be
isolated and further investigated for anti- HSV-1 activity in vivo and clinical trials.
