Hanoi - A Vietnamese medical researcher claimed on Friday he had developed a herbal remedy which clinical trials showed improved the health of people suffering from Aids and tuberculosis.
Professor Dai Duy Ban, of the Institute of Biological Technology in Hanoi, said the administration of a compound of 30 herbs to 57 Aids patients in trials since 1998 had resulted in improved immunity and weight gain.
"It is too early to say if the medicine can cure the disease, as we do not have the equipment to detect the levels of HIV in the blood, but we have seen weight gains of between 5 and 10kg," he said. "The cost in relation to most existing treatments is also very low, about US$100 (about R700) compared to $1 500 a year."
Ban said blood testing had also revealed that the number of TCD4 lymphocytes - white blood cells responsible for the body's immune response which are attacked and killed by the virus responsible for Aids - showed a marked increase after treatment with the compound. "We have seen the number of TCD4 lymphocytes increase in some patients from as low as 15 to more than 500 per millilitre of blood," he said.
Dr Laurent Zessler, head of UNAIDS in Vietnam, said initial results were encouraging, but cautioned against being overly optimistic.
"Our concern is principally for Aids sufferers who are desperate and will usually grasp at any straw which might prolong their lives," he said. "We respect the efficacy of traditional medicines, but it is important that trials be held to international standards, subject to due scientific process." - Sapa-DPA