Antiviral Research

M.D. Anderson Antiviral Research (HIV)

In addition to cancer, Nerium is now focused on the antiviral effects of the Nerium oleander extract. From review of anecdotal evidence in Ireland and results from a pilot study initiated on HIV patients in Latin America, Nerium has identified possible health benefits for patients infected with the HIV virus. This clinical data indicates potential benefit to this patient population for treatment of HIV as a chronic versus an acute disease with no negative side effects. The data suggests that further scientific research is warranted to better understand the antiviral effects of the Nerium oleander extract.

With Dr. Newman’s assistance, Nerium has signed a Sponsored Research Agreement with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas led by Dr. Jagannadha Sastry, Director of the Virology and Gene Therapy Program, as lead investigator. His antiviral research has focused on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Review of Dr. Sastry’s preliminary HIV research have been very positive and have been duplicated. His research has been conducted utilizing various Nerium extracts and as is always the case, new research presents new ideas for additional investigation. Nerium continues to move forward with this research.

Current discussions for continuing HIV research are centered on moving forward with a monkey animal model (simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), the Monkey-HIV equivalent). The trial design is being reviewed (drug, dose, route of administration, administration schedule, duration, cost, etc.). Successful completion of this animal trial should allow Nerium to proceed to a FDA Human HIV Trial at M. D. Anderson, in Houston, Texas with assistance from Quintiles, an international clinical research and consulting organization.

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