MARIANDINA NUTRITIONAL HEALTH PRODUCTS

“Helping the Body Fight the Natural Way


 


SUMMARY OF CLINICAL EVALUATIONS USING MARIANDINA THAT ARE UNDERWAY IN UGANDA, TANZANIA AND NIGERIA

 

BACKGROUND

In HIV management, nutritional is essential. The nutritional component comprises of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and trace elements.  The carbohydrates cater for the daily energy requirement of the body, the virus and the opportunistic infections plus the energy required to fight these infections. The proteins are required to provide amino acids that are the building blocks for the body. The immune response also needs amino-acids as building blocks. In addition, the infections also need the amino-acids for their construction. On top of providing a source of energy fats and oil provide a solvent for vitamins like A, D, E, and E and also act as an appetiser as they dissolve flavors.

 

The demand for nutrients is increased by diseases like HIV.

 

NB: CD4 provides an indication that the cells in which the virus multiplies are not dying faster than they are made. It is a guide to show improvement of immunity. An increase in CD4 in HIV patients indicates an improved immunity.

 

(i) UGANDA CLINICAL TRIAL; Dr.James Kiyengo, Others  Dr.Kabugo, Dr.Kalinda

Title: The role of Mariandina A in the management of HIV patients in bombo Military  hospital Uganda in may 2006 to nov 06.

 

Patients by law with CD4 count over 250 units must be given ARVs. This law applies worldwide. Therefore the evaluation concentrated on the use of Mariandina A alongside ARVs.

 

CONCLUSION

1.      Mariandina A improves weight gain and prevents weight loss among patients on T30

2.      Mariandina A improves increase in CD 4 count among patients on T30

3.      Mariandina A does not change significantly the rate of occurance of opportunistic infections among HIV infected patients.

4.      Mariandina A reduces the death rate among patients on T30

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Mariandina A should be given as a nutritional supplement to HIV patients on T30 to improve weight gain, improve CD4 increase and reduce the death rate

 

(ii) TANZANIA - A PRIVATE STUDY– Dr Fred Limbanga, Tanzania

Title:  The Effectiveness Of Mariandina Herbal Product In Treatment Of HIV / AIDS Cases. A private study on 10 patients over 3 months.

 

Mariandina ALONE was given to 7 patients who had a CD4 count of above 250 and so were not on ARVs. Mariandina was also gave it to 3 patients who qualified for ARVs under global law. The

CD4 was measured at month 1 and at month 3. The results show that in both cases, Mariandina helped and the CD4 count increased over the 3 month period indicating an increase in immunity.

 

•After 3 months the CD4 count of all the patients using Mariandina and Triomune (an ARV) was seen to increase.

After 3 months the CD4 count of all the patients using Mariandina alone was seen to increase.

 

Future Plans

•Long Term Research for at least 1 year is needed to make a proper follow up of CD4 and viral load before making conclusion

•Patients should continue taking the Mariandina tablets with or without Triomune for at least 12 months

•A larger number of patients is needed of different age groups, sex etc for research purposes.

 

 

 

 

(iii) NIGERIAN CLINICAL TRIAL – BREAST CANCER AND DIABETES

 

Neimeth commisioned Dr K C Tshasime MBBS, FWACP of the Group Medical Centre Cottage hospital to evalute Mariandina for a range of ailments in a single comparative product clinical evaluation trial. Although results for HIV and Hypertension are available and positive, this report only includes the results for the evaluation on Diabetes Mellitus and Breast cancer. A total of 10 patients. 5 control and 5 using their standard therapeutic drugs that they were on alongside Mariandina A, J and B.

 

- Breast cancer - 3 patients

- Diabetes Mellitus - 2 patients

 

IN SUMMARY THERE WERE THE FOLLOWING:

 

HepatoSpenomelgaly:-        There was a remarkable reduction in the sizes of the 

Spleen and Kidney in the Study Group by about 25% in comparison with the Control Group.

 

Weight:- There was a weight gain of 18% in the Study Group in comparison to the Control Group.

 

Laboratory Results:-            There was about 28% positive shift in all the Laboratory Indices recorded on the Study Group in comparison with the Control Group.

 

 

·        There were no significant changes in the Blood Pressure and Pulse readings of both the Study and Control Groups at Baseline and Study End.

 

·        Similarly there was no observed ECG changes for both the Study and Control Groups a Baseline And Study End.

 

·        There were no noticeable side effects recorded during this study.

 

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that with the Mariandina A and J Products when used as adjuncts in the management of Diabetes Mellitus and Breast Cancer in this study Group provided some beneficial effects to the subjects.

 

However due to the Study Size, Care should be taken in making any form of Claim with Regards to the Efficacy and Safety of the Mariandina A and J products in the management of the disease conditions in this study. Further pilot studies and results are expected in the next month to cover the other ailments that are not covered in this report.



(iv)  Evaluating the effect of Mariandina A and J on HIV potivie Patients at Nigerian Navy Hospital Ikeja
Nigeria.


(NB
: Evaluations are underway in Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.)



NIGERIAN NAVY HOSPITAL OJO LAGOS

EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF MARIANDINA A AND J ON CD4 COUNT AMONG HIV POSITVE PERSONS 

 

*Dr Abu Daniel Echoga (MBBS, MPH FMCPH, FWACP.)Senior Consultant Community Physician/ Member ART Team NNH OJO

 

Dr TGS Epelle MBBS, FWACP Chief Consultant Paediatrician/ Team Leader ART Team NNH OJO

 

CONCLUSION

 

Mariandina A and J were administered to 25 HIV positive individuals with CD4 count above 250 cells/uL for a period of 3 months. Out of 23 due for evaluation, 17 were evaluated and 15 (88.2%) had appreciable increase in CD4 count after 3 months. The average CD4 was 609 compared to baseline of 465 cells/uL. The participants also gained weight and reported improvement in general well being. Forty percent of the participants complained of excessive rumbling in the stomach on initiation of treatment. This was however not severe enough to discontinue treatment with mariandina.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Based on the above findings, it is recommended that

 

1.         There is need for an expanded study to be conducted among larger numbers of HIV positive individuals with appropriate controls. The study could also be conducted over a longer period to determine if the immune boosting, building and antiviral activity as observed in this evaluation could be sustained for longer period.

 

2.         That mariandina A and J should be administered to HIV positive individuals whose clinical staging do not qualify them for ARV. It could also be given as adjunct treatment with ARV

 



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NIGERIAN EVALUATION

EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF MARIANDINA A AND J ON CD4 COUNT AMONG HIV POSITIVE PERSONS 

 

*Dr Abu Daniel Echoga (MBBS, MPH FMCPH, FWACP.)Senior Consultant Community Physician/ Member ART Team NNH OJO

 

Dr TGS Epelle MBBS, FWACP Chief Consultant Paediatrician/ Team Leader ART Team NNH OJO

 

Dr Y Rahman MBBS Medical Officer Member ART Team NNH OJO

 

SLt  Onah BMLS Lab Scientist NNH OJO

 

Mrs L Onwaeze RN RM Clinic Manager, IDC NNH OJO

 

* Principal Investigator

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Though Anti-Retroviral drugs are now available, the side effects and adverse reactions experienced by persons on these products is enormous. Further more, it would be desirable for persons leaving with HIV to stay healthy without ARVs. Thus any medications short of ARV that has no known adverse reactions or side effects would form an essential component in the management of HIV/AIDS.  It is for this purpose that this evaluation was conducted to determine the benefits of mariandina A and J to persons living with HIV/AIDS

Mariandina A is reported to contain advanced natural composition consisting of 28 natural herbs, vitamins and minerals and other rare elements which is capable of boosting the immune system, repair body cells and tissues. Mariandina J is also reported to be an advanced natural preparation containing 29 powerful herbs which detoxify and cleanse the body. It is believed that the herbs used for the preparation of Mariandina J  the capacity to inhibit viral activity

 

STUDY AREA

 

Nigerian Navy Hospital (NNH) Ojo started its operations in 1984 and was officially commissioned in March 1985.  It was designed and commissioned as a 110-bed hospital. The hospital is located inside the Nigerian Navy barracks (NNS WEY) in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, South West Nigeria.

 

            The Hospital is the main referral hospital of the Nigerian Navy. Furthermore, the Police, other paramilitary organizations and federal civil servants within the area utilize its services. The hospital also extends its services to civilians within its neighbourhood.    Additionally, NNH Ojo assists in the training of different categories of health workers including Medical House officers.  The hospital bed occupancy rate at any point in time is above 80%.

 

The hospital services are organized into various departments. These consist of clinical units such as the Department of Medicine, Paediatric, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Dentistry. Others include Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory, Pharmacy, Radio-diagnosis and Health Management Information Service departments. In addition, there are other clinical services departments such as Maternal and Child Health and clinical psychology.

 

The Hospital offers a comprehensive HIV/AIDS services and treatment programme funded by the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and US Department of Defence HIV/AIDS Programme. The services include the PMTCT clinic, HIV counseling and testing and the provision of antiretroviral treatment to HIV/AIDS patients. 

 

 

OBJECTIVE

 

The broad objective of this evaluation was to determine the benefits of Mariandina to persons living with HIV.

 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

 

The specific objectives were

 

1.                   To determine the effect of Mariandina  A and J on CD4 count

2.                   To monitor  weight changes  in persons on  Mariandina A and J

3.                   To document side effects/adverse reactions of mariandina A and J

 

 

INCLUSION CRITERIA

 

HIV positive Persons attending antenatal clinic, VCT and Infectious Disease Clinic at the Nigerian Navy Hospital Ojo Lagos Nigeria were recruited based on the baseline CD4 count. The baseline CD4 count at the time of recruitment is 250 cell /ul or more. The individual must not be on ARV at the time of recruitment. Thereafter, informed consent was obtained through the signing of consent form.

 

 

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

 

Individuals with CD4 count of less than 250 cells/ul and those currently on ARV treatment.

 

ETHICAL REVIEW/APPROVAL

 

Ethical approval was obtained from the ARV treatment team of the Nigerian Navy Hospital Ojo after a thorough review of the protocol as well as extensive review of literature on the mariandina. Also, approval was obtained from the Directorate of Nigerian Navy Medical Services at the Naval Headquarters, Moloney, Lagos.

 

LIMITATIONS

 

Viral load testing facilities was not readily available to the researcher. The study is limited in scope due to number of persons recruited and the duration of follow up. 

 

METHODOLOGY

 

The participants were HIV positive individuals confirmed using western blot method. They were selected from clients attending the antenatal clinic, voluntary counseling and testing and infectious Disease Clinic at the Nigerian Navy Hospital Ojo. The CD4 count at the time of recruitment must not be less than 250 cells/ul. On recruitment, initial clinical evaluation was conducted to document the clinical status of the participant. The participants were subjected to physical examination. The weight of the participant at presentation was recorded. Thereafter, blood sample was collected to determine the baseline CD4, full blood count, liver function test electrolyte and urea. The recruitment was clinic based thus individuals were recruited over the period of three months from August to November 2006.

 

The participants were administered caplets of mariandina A and J. Each participant was given monthly supply of mariandina A and J with monthly follow up in the clinic. The participant takes one caplet each of mariandina A and J twice daily for a period of three months.  The follow up was used for adherence monitoring, clinical examination and documentation of observed side effect. In all, twenty five persons were administered mariandina A and J for a period of three months. The final clinical and laboratory evaluation was conducted at the end of 3 months on the medication.

 

RESULTS

 

Demographic Characteristics

 

The participants were 7 males and 18 females. The age range of the participants was 19 to 47 years. The average age of the participants was 31.4years.  Twenty three of the twenty five participants were due for evaluation at the time of report. Seventeen (73.9 %) out of twenty three turned up for final evaluation. Among the participants, evaluated, 13 (52%) were married, 9 (36%) were single and 3 (12%) were widows. The details are as shown in table 1

 

 

Table 1: Sex and Marital Status

Marital Status

Male

Female

Total

Married

4

9

13 (52%)

Single

3

6

9 (36%)

Widow (er)

Nil

3

3(12%)

Total

7 (28)

18(72%)

25 (100%)

 

 

 

 

Table 2: The Result of Baseline and Post treatment CD4 count and Weight among Participants

 

S/no

Name

ID No

Sex

Age (yrs)

Date Commenced

BL Wt(Kg)

BLCD4 (Cells/UL

3M wt(Kg)

3 M CD4(Cells/UL

Change in CD4

1

XX01

027/06

F

34

16/8/-22/11/06

68

470

74

835

365

2

XY01

218/06

M

44

16/8/06

85

330

90

425

95

3

XX02

200/06

F

44

23/8/06

55

290

60

387

97

4

XY02

203/06

M

32

23/8-22/11/06

75

470

72

808a

338

5

XX03

006/05

F

40

30/8/06

60

 440

64

501

61

6+

XX04

216/06

F

33

30/8/06

76

560

81