Introduction: HIV/AIDS still being an emerging & epidemic disease in Indonesia. Humans infected with HIV have shown to be under chronic oxidative stress. Experimental studies have shown that obtained xanthones from mangosteen have remarkable biological activities as an antioxidant. This study aims to analyze the effects of Mangosteen Peel Extract (MPE) toward CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, CD8+CD38 expression, levels of IL-2 and IFN- γ, in HIV patients with antiretroviral therapy.
Method: This experimental study was designed using double-blind, randomized control group which randomized by the permuted table. Subjects were HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy more than six months. Patients were divided into 2 groups; treatment group (n=20) and placebo group (n=20). The treatment group had been given MPE 2400 mg/day for 30 days the same as the placebo group. The variables were measured before and after treatment using FacsCalibur Becton-Dickinson flowcytometry.
Results: There was significant increase in the number of CD4+T cells (p=0.001). There was significant decrease in CD38 expression (p=0.001). There were no significant changes in CD8+T cells (p=0.601), NK cells (p=0.911), IL-2 (p=0.260) and IFN-γ (p=0.588).
Conclusion: Mangosteen peel extract increases the number of CD4+ T cells and decreases the level of CD38 expression, whereas the effect of CD8+ T cells, NK cells, IL-2 and IFN-γ in HIV patients with antiretroviral therapy were not significant.