2015/12/01 by Zhibin Liu, Jiping Yang, Liran Xu · 1 citation
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #HIV Research and Treatment #Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research #Mycobacterium research and diagnosis #Medicine #Traditional Chinese medicine #Alternative medicine #Adverse effect #Intensive care medicine #Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) #China #Promotion (chess) #Traditional medicine #Family medicine #Pharmacology #Pathology
paper · doi:10.1186/s40249-015-0093-6
openalex publication_date 2015/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Substantial progress has been made in China in using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Our objective was to review the latest developments in TCM treatment of AIDS in China between 2004 and 2014. We reviewed the content of original articles investigating the efficacy and safety of TCM for treating AIDS published in Chinese and English language journals. Relevant references from 2004 to 2014 were found using PubMed and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database. We found that TCM has been widely used for treating AIDS and its complications in China. The number of TCM studies has increased, which indicates efficacy and safety. Measures of efficacy in the reviewed articles included the alleviation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related signs and symptoms, improvements in quality of life, improvements in long-term survival, counteraction of the adverse side effects of antiviral drugs, promotion of immune reconstitution, and improvement of laboratory results. In sum, the literature indicates that TCM is safe. TCM plays an important role in the treatment of AIDS. Some studies have attempted to measure the efficacy and safety of TCM for treating AIDS, but more evidence is needed. Therefore, more research on this topic is required in the future.