Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of Ailing Granule (AG, a Chinese herbal preparation for nourishing Qi and activating blood circulation) in intervening HIV/AIDS.
Methods: Twenty-one HIV/AIDS patients were orally administered with AG (mainly composed of Fructus Ligustri lucidi, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Astragalus and Eupolyphaga et polyphage) by 20g, twice a day for 4 months. Their symptoms and signs were scored, T cell subgroup (CD3, CD4, CD8) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were detected with flow-cytometry, and viral load determined with RT-PCR, as well as some indexes for safety evaluation, including ALT, Cr and BW were observed before and after treatment.
Results: After treatment, the symptom and sign score of patients lowered, among them the scores of fatigue, anorexia, spontaneous sweating and skin rash reduced with difference statistically (P < 0.05); the total effective rate was 61.9%; CD4 count and IL-2 level increased from 308.29 +/- 150.66/microl and 13.19 +/- 5.93 ng/L to 336.50 +/- 148.94/micro1 and 15.14 +/- 5.14 ng/L respectively( P < 0.05); while the viral load lowered but showed no significant difference. All the indexes of safety measured kept unwavering during treatment(P > 0.05).
Conclusion: AG could significantly alleviate the symptoms of HIV/AIDS patients, improve their immune function, inhibit HIV reproduction to a certain extent or keep it stable. No obvious toxic or adverse reaction was seen.