OBJECTIVETo explore the possible mechanism of Ailing Granule (AG, a Chinese herbal preparation for nourishing Qi and activating blood circulation) in intervening HIV/AIDS.

METHODSTwenty-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.

RESULTSAfter 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).

CONCLUSIONAG 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.