Systematic Evaluation of the Impact of Moringa oleifera on the Health Status of HIV-Infected Individuals

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), if left untreated, poses a significant threat to health, resulting in morbidity and mortality rates up to 14 times higher than those observed in individuals free from HIV/AIDS. Currently, the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has substantially increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWHIV). In many developing nations, PLWHIV often complements their treatment with traditional medicines, such as Moringa oleifera, alongside ART. However, the utilization of Moringa in this context is primarily advocated for by non-professionals due to the lack of consensus regarding its impact on the health status of PLWHIV. Consequently, the objective of this review was to systematically investigate the influence of Moringa oleifera on the health status of PLWHIV. A meticulous search was conducted in three scientific databases between July 1st and August 31st, 2022, using “Moringa oleifera” and “HIV” as keywords. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were considered for inclusion in this study. Out of the 20 articles retrieved, 11 were excluded as they did not employ a randomized control study design or were review articles. The remaining 9 articles were meticulously examined and synthesized to assess the impact of Moringa oleifera on various health parameters among PLWHIV. The findings extracted from these articles collectively indicate that Moringa supplementation offers several notable benefits to PLWHIV. These benefits encompass an increase in CD+4 cell counts, improvements in Body Mass Index (BMI), enhanced psychological well-being, effective management of depression and anxiety, improved functioning of vital body organs, and regulation of cholesterol levels. In light of these findings, it is concluded that Moringa oleifera supplementation contributes significantly to the enhanced health status of PLWHIV. These results advocate for the consideration of Moringa oleifera as a valuable adjunctive therapy alongside ART, thereby potentially augmenting the overall treatment outcomes for individuals living with HIV.

Keywords: HIV, AIDs, Moringa oleifera