239 | The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2016,1(3) ISSN: 2377-6196 The American Journal of SCIENCE AND MEDICAL RESEARCH, 2(1), 239-245 Research Article Open Access Medicinal Plants Used By Traditional Medicine Practitioners In The Management Of HIV/AIDS-Related Diseases In Tribal Areas Of Adilabad District, Telangana Region Swapna Gurrapu 1 and Estari Mamidala 2 * 1-2 Infectious Diseases Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kakatiya University, Warangal – 506 009. Telangana State, India. *Email: swapnagurappu123@gmail.com, estari08@gmail.com Abstract Sexually transmitted infections have been of major concern recently due to their association with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The study area (tribal areas of Adilabad district) has the highest HIV infection rate in Telangana region of India, which made them more prone to a wide range of infections. Information was obtained from the traditional healers and other experienced persons, having some knowledge on medicinal plants. A total of seven lay people, were interviewed on their knowledge of medicinal plants used to treat symptoms of HIV and opportunistic infections like diarrhoea, coughing, malaria, skin rashes and tuberculosis. Forth-three plant species from 31 families were recorded in the present survey for the treatment of 7 different infections and symptoms of HIV disease. The most plant parts used were leaves (32.5%), followed by fruits (25.5%), seeds (18.6%), bark (13.95%), whole plant (9.3%) and stem (6.7%). Leaves ranked the highest, especially for use in topical preparations. Oral administration was the most frequently used route of administration. Further research is needed to isolate and identify the active chemical compounds present in those plants and understand their modes of action. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Adilabad, Traditional healers, Telangana, Sexually transmitted Infections INTRODUCTION Globally in 2015, there were 2.1 million new HIV infections (1.8 million to 2.4 million), 36.2 million prevalent HIV cases (34.0 million–39.8million), and 1·1 million HIV deaths (940 000–1.3 million) (UNAIDS, 2016). National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India periodically undertakes HIV estimations to provide the updated information on the status of HIV epidemic in India. The first HIV estimation in India was done in 1998, while the last round was done in 2015. The Indian National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) estimated that approximately 21.17 lakhs people were living with HIV and have around 86 thousand new HIV infections in India in 2015 (NACO, 2016). Undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have the highest estimated number of people living with HIV (3.95 lakhs) followed by Maharashtra (3.01 lakhs), Karnataka (1.99 lakhs) and other states (NACO, 2016). Since ancient times, several societies have resorted to nature, mainly to plants as medical and health sources. Today, a great percentage of the world population, particular in developing countries, uses plants for facing primary needs of medical assistance (Tene et al, 2007). Human beings have used plants for medicinal purposes for centuries. It has been estimated that such use of medicinal plants possibly go back in time to around 3000 years B.P (Sofomora, 1982). Traditional forms of medicine have existed and still exist in many countries of the world including countries in the Indian subcontinent like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The various alternative medicinal systems of India (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha) uses more than 7500 plant species (Mukherjee and Wahile, 2006). Documentation of these traditional medicinal systems is important as a number of important modern How to Cite this Article: Swapna Gurrapu and Estari Mamidala (2016). Medicinal Plants Used By Traditional Medicine Practitioners In The Management Of HIV/AIDS-Related Diseases In Tribal Areas Of Adilabad District, Telangana Region. The Ame J Sci & Med Res, 2(1):239-245. doi:10.17812/ajsmr2101. Published online 08 September, 2016 [Grab your reader’s attention