An herb used in Chinese medicine “Astragalus root” contains chemicals that can be used to complement anti-retroviral therapy or even replace, recommended Rita Effros, a member of the UCLA AIDS Institute, who made ​​the discovery.
Astragalus
Astragalus
Astragalus has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, usually in combination with other herbs to strengthen the immune system and is still widely used in China for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and as an adjuvant therapy for patients with cancer.
Astragalus has also been used to combat heart disease and to prevent and treat common cold and upper respiratory tract infection.
AIDS Institute examined the relationship between TAT2, a chemical in the astragalus and telomeres, because each chromosome has a telomere at the end which has a protective function similar to a plastic tip that holds the rope from decomposed.
The researchers expose the killer T cells in HIV-infected people to TAT2, a chemical found in Astragalus.
Found that not only slows telomere shortening, but also increased production of chemokines and cytokines cells, which previously has been shown to inhibit HIV replication.
In addition to fighting HIV, this strategy can be effective in combating other problems associated with immunodeficiency, including increased susceptibility to viral infections or chronic diseases associated with aging, the researchers said.