Pelargonium sidoides is a plant native to South Africa where the Zulu popularly call it Umckaloabo. Other common names for it are Kalwerbossie, Zucol and African geranium. Unaware of the plants effectiveness against HIV, the Zulu continued to use this herb for a variety of conditions until scientific research in the late 20th Century and the 21st Century revealed this secret.
Bioactivity
Pelargonium sidoides contains secondary metabolites that are polyphenolic in nature including leuco-anthocyanidins and flavonoids. These bioactive molecules exhibit great potential against HIV type 1, i.e. they are HIV-1 inhibitors. It is also active against the herpes virus.
Pharmacology
Root extracts of Pelargonium sidoides inhibits the penetration of HIV type I virus particles into cells of the human body by preventing the attachment of viral particles to the cells of the host. Specifically Pelargonium sidoides targets the HIV-1 envelope proteins and inhibits their adherence to host cells.
Effectiveness/ Advantages
Unlike most approved HIV-1 drugs and drug candidates (including lectins, synthetic anti-lipopolysaccharide peptides and polyanionic molecules) which act on the viral particles after attaching to the host cells, Pelargonium sidoides prevents the attachment of the virus in the first place
As opposed to polyanions (which target HIV-1 viral strains that use the CXCR4 receptors to attach to host cells) and other anti HIV drugs which only inhibit single HIV-1 cell surface co-receptors, polyphenolic extracts of Pelargonium sidoides exhibits potency against HIV-1 viral particles in a fashion that is INDEPENDENT of viral co-receptor tropism.
Unlike conventional HIV-1 entry inhibitors, Pelargonium sidoides metabolites are virucidal because they prevent viral infection of the host cells before it happens.
Unlike most anti-HIV drugs Pelargonium sidoides has very low cytotoxixity.
Also has virucidal activity against Herpes viruses.