Regularity of herbal formulae for HIV/AIDS patients with syndromes based on complex networks

Objective: This study aimed to explore the primary Chinese herbs and their combination regularity in treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with different syndromes. Methods: Data of first visit of 1,788 HIV/AIDS patients from August 2004 to December 2010 in 11 pilot projects are extracted. The medication law is analysed with frequency analysis and complex network method. Results are visually presented with complex network. Results: Atractylodes rhizome, Poria cocos, Angelica, Codonopsis pilosula, Ligusticum wallichii, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Liquorice and Astragalus are core herbals for deficiency of both qi and blood. Liquorice, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Liriope, Radix Scrophulariae, Radix Rehmanniae, prepared Radix Rehmanniae, Balloon flower, Fritillaria and Schisandra chinensis are core herbals for deficiency of both qi and yin, deficiency of lung and kidney. Poria cocos, Atractylodes rhizome, Codonopsis pilosula, Tangerine peel, Chinese yam, Semen Coicis, Amomum, white hyacinth bean and Balloon flower are core herbals for deficiency in the spleen and kidney and dampness blockage. Conclusion: The regularity of herbal formulae for HIV/AIDS patients with different syndromes may provide useful information for guiding clinical treatment and related research in the future.