title: Traditional medicines, HIV, and related infections: workshop 2C.
abstract: Traditional medicines are an integral part of health care worldwide, even though their efficacy has not been scientifically proven. HIV-infected individuals may use them singularly or in combination with conventional medicines. Many in vitro studies have proven the anti-HIV, anti-Candida, and anti-herpes simplex virus potential of traditional plants and identified some of the mechanisms of action. Very few in vivo studies are available that involve a small number of participants and show controversial results. In addition, knowledge is limited of the role of traditional medicines in the enhancement of the immune system. The use of traditional medicines with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) has created a problem because drug interactions compromise the efficacy of ARVs. Several currently popular plants have been studied in the laboratory for their interaction with ARVs, with disadvantageous results. Unfortunately, no clinical trials are available. The science of traditional medicines is relatively new and is at present being modernized worldwide. However, there are still ethical issues regarding traditional medicines that need to be addressed-for example, regulations regarding quality control and standardization of medicines, regulation and education of healers who deliver these medicines, and unregulated clinical trials. The workshop addressed the following questions about traditional medicine and their use in HIV infection: What are the mechanisms of action of anti-HIV traditional medicines? Should traditional medicines be used in conjunction with ARV? Do traditional medicines enhance the immune system? Should medicinal plants be used for the control of oral infections associated with HIV? What are the ethical issues surrounding the use of traditional medicines for the treatment of HIV and associated infections?
authors: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Health Laboratory Services, and School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. mrudula.patel@wits.ac.za
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Patel
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Bessong
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004989:Ethics; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D017733:Leukoplakia, Hairy / Q000188:drug therapy; D019413:Qi; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal