Impact of Herbal Preparations on Outcomes of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A One-Year Prospective Cohort Study

To investigate the impacts of two herbal preparations for human immunodeficiency virus/aquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients, Shenling Fuzheng Capsule (参灵扶正胶囊, SLFZC) and Qingdu Capsule (清毒胶囊, QDC), on the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV/AIDS patients met the criteria were all enrolled in a 1-year cohort study, in which patients receiving HAART alone were designated as Group A, those receiving HAART in combination with SLFZC were designated as Group B, and those receiving HAART in combination with QDC were designated as Group C, 100 cases in each group. The dose of SLFZC was 1.48 g (4 capsules), 3 times daily, and QDC 1.56 g (4 capsules), 3 times daily. T cell subsets, HIV RNA and HIV-1 drug resistance were detected at enrollment and 1 year after treatment. Patients were followed up every 3 months, during which side-effects and other clinical data were recorded. After 1-year treatment, the median increment in CD4 counts was 165.0, 178.0 and 145.0 cells/μL for Group A, B and C, respectively. HIV RNA was undetectable in 94% of patients in Group A, 96% in Group B and 92% in Group C. There were no differences regarding the increment in CD4 counts, HIV RNA and frequency of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations. Two of the 14 suspected side-effect symptoms, i.e. fatigue and dizziness, were lower in Groups B and C than in Group A (P<0.05, respectively) SLFZC and QDC do not have a negative impact on immunological and virological response to HAART; however, these preparations are not as potent in reducing HAART-associated side-effects as anticipated.