Plant-Based Antimicrobials: A New Hope for Treating Diarrhea in HIV Patients

Nyiramana Mukamurera P.

Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

HIV-associated diarrhea (HAD) remains a persistent and under-addressed complication among individuals living with HIV, significantly impacting quality of life, treatment adherence, and overall immune function. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition, gastrointestinal disturbances—particularly diarrhea—continue to affect a substantial portion of patients, with limited effective therapeutic options. This paper explores the potential of plant-based antimicrobials (PBAs) as alternative or adjunctive treatments for diarrhea in HIV-infected individuals. Drawing from ethnomedicinal practices and modern scientific evidence, PBAs such as curcumin, ginger, and tannin-rich plants like Cudrania tricuspidata demonstrate promising antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and microbiota-modulating effects. Preclinical studies using rodent models and early-phase clinical trials support the efficacy of these compounds in alleviating diarrhea and restoring gut homeostasis. The incorporation of PBAs into HIV care protocols, especially in resource-limited settings, offers a low-cost, culturally accepted, and potentially safer option to improve patient outcomes. Continued interdisciplinary research is essential to optimize dosage, elucidate mechanisms of action, and ensure the safety and efficacy of PBAs in the context of HIV-associated diarrhea.

Keywords: HIV-associated diarrhea, Plant-based antimicrobials, Gut microbiota modulation, Antiretroviral therapy (ART), Phytochemicals, Curcumin, Traditional medicine.

CITE AS: Nyiramana Mukamurera P. (2025). Plant-Based Antimicrobials: A New Hope for Treating Diarrhea in HIV Patients. IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS 10(1):14-20. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBBAF/2025/1011420