The effects of long-term herbal treatment for pediatric AIDS

Am J Chin Med. 2002;30(1):51-64. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X02000065.

Abstract

This paper presents our long-term (1992-2000) treatment of pediatric Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients (maximum 100 children, last three years 65) using native herbal remedies in a voluntary medical assistance program in Constanta, Romania. We primarily report the progress of 10 children at a facility called the "House of Tomorrow" and three other facilities. The long-term (8 years and 8 months) treatment contributed to a drop of the amount of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Ribonucleic Acids (HIV-RNA) below the measurable level for 9 out of 10 patients at the "House of Tomorrow." Furthermore, the treatment led to preservation and increase of the cluster of differentiation (CD4) count, a remarkable decrease in mortality rate, as well as the maintenance of a good quality of life. It took one to three years for the beneficial effects of the treatment to emerge. No side-effects were recognized either clinically or biochemically, nor was there any emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV as seen with anti-HIV chemical treatments. This paper also refers to which herbal remedies were used and their general mechanism of action.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
  • HIV / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Romania
  • Vegetables

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • RNA, Viral