Considered one of the most daunting diseases of our time, HIV/AIDS has killed more than 20 million people worldwide since the epidemic first penetrated our species. Finally, after years of studying the ever evasive virus, researchers at the UCLA AIDS Institute have discovered that a chemical from a plant helps provide the winning punch in the fight against HIV. The Astragalus root, often used in Chinese herbal medicine, provides the protein TAT2 that helps prevent or slow the progressive telomere shortening.

The addition of TAT2 to HIV-infected patients also increases the production of chemokines and cytokines, both of which have been shown to inhibit the replication of HIV. “The ability to enhance telomerase activity and antiviral functions of CD8 T-lymphocytes suggests that this strategy could be useful in treating HIV disease, as well as immunodeficiency and increased susceptibility to other viral infections associated with chronic diseases or aging,” the researchers said.

News Article: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/HealthSci/Medicinal_plant_may_harbour_HIV_cure/articleshow/3699180.cms

Scientific Article: http://www.jimmunol.org/cgi/content/abstract/181/10/7400

Question for discussion: Do you think that TAT2 will be significant in minimizing the effects of HIV, or do you think it will just be just another minor factor in the fight against HIV?