Recent development of studies on traditional Chinese medicine and Tx of AIDS

Recent development of studies on traditional Chinese medicine in prophylaxis and treatment of AIDS.

Wu B.

China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing.

PIP: WHO statistics indicated that as of October 1, 1991 there were 418,403 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in the world, and an estimated 5-10 million persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were at risk of developing AIDS. 50% of AIDS victims have died. It has been reported that after 1 year of clinical use HIV could develop resistance to AZT (azidothymidine), the only effective drug used worlwide and recommended for clinical use by the US government. AIDS has also been treated by acupuncture and moxibustion which recent experiments have associated with improving immune function and enhancing resistance to disease. The American scientists Smith and Naomi Rabinowitz used acupuncture and moxibustion in the clinical treatment of AIDS from 1982 to 1988 when they treated 350 patients with AIDS and AIDS related complex. 1 advanced case with Kaposi's sarcoma and signs of hemorrhage was significantly improved after treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used successfully in treating cholera, syphilis, epidemic encephalitis, influenza, and hepatitis with a great variety of clinical treatment measures and experiences. In recent years the treatment of AIDS by TCM using herbs and their extracts has been increasing. Dr. Yu of Santa Barbara, California, Hospital, in cooperation with Dr. Chen of China, successfully treated on AIDS patient with Chinese herbal medicine. The patient was still living and well more than 2 years later when another 24 cases which were not treated with TCM died during the same period. In China there are no special laboratories dealing with the prevention and treatment of AIDS, although scientific HIV research could benefit from such activities. On the other hand, foreign scientists and Chinese abroad have accomplished a significant amount of relevant research.

Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial

J Tradit Chin Med. 1992 Mar;12(1):10-20.
PMID: 1597994 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]