Scientists from India developed an herbal medicine that can improve the lives of HIV patients without side effects or drug resistance, according to an article in the Sakaal Times Jan. 2, 2010.
 
Professor B B Ballal from Yashwantrao Mohite College and the lead scientist on this discovery said that the herbal medicine they developed increases CD4 cells that are responsible for regulating the immune system and minimizes the viral load of HIV infected patients.

 With a lower viral load, patients have stronger immune systems and thus can better fight HIV-related infections.
 
The researchers began studying more than 200 herbs in 1993 and developed two sets of herbal medicines named Cytonini and Cytomaw. They conducted clinical trials on more than 900 patients for more than 10 years and found the drugs to be safe and effective.
 
Antiretroviral therapy that is commonly used to treat HIV Patients often has a variety of side effects including headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and hair loss. The body also can develop a resistance to the antiretroviral therapy.
 
According to the article, Cytonini and Cytomaw have no side effects and the body does not develop resistance to these herbal medicines.