Potential Mitigation of Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy with Antioxidants

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective in suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. Still, it is frequently associated with adverse side effects with long-term use of the drugs, including oxidative stress from mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate whether Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme) could serve as a viable source of antioxidants to reduce ART-induced oxidative stress. Antioxidant capacity assays were conducted to quantify and verify phenolic content and free radical-neutralizing potential of extracts. Hepatocytes were used to assess the cytotoxicity of thyme and to determine the effect of the combined treatment with thyme and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a commonly prescribed nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) for HIV that is associated with mitochondrial toxicity. Cell viability and oxidative stress assays were performed to evaluate whether thyme could reduce the adverse effects of TDF. Results demonstrate that thyme extracts possess antioxidant capacity and affect cellular viability in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting the potential use of Thymus vulgaris in mitigating oxidative stress associated with ART treatment. The combined treatment of thyme and TDF yields inconclusive results and needs further testing. While further investigation is needed, these findings suggest that antioxidants such as Thymus vulgaris may be useful to combat ART-related oxidative stress. This work contributes to ongoing efforts to identify supportive interventions that improve treatment tolerance and adherence, particularly for populations disproportionately affected by HIV.