AEGiS-GMHC: Common Alternative Therapies: Sho-Saiko-To (SSKT)

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Common Alternative Therapies: Sho-Saiko-To (SSKT)

Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland

Sho-Saiko-To (SSKT) is a central formula in Chinese medicine. It is readily available in many countries in Asia. While SSKT is a combination of seven ingredients in precise proportion, the most active component is speculated to be Scutellariae from which "baicalein" is derived. Baicalein has been synthesized in a highly purified form and is being investigated at the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers from Columbia University analyzed the effect of SSKT on lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals.[1] The results showed a greater inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase and reductions in P24 antigen levels in HIV-seropositive asymptomatic people than in people with ARC. No significant viral inhibition was found in people with AIDS.

Dosages have been suggested at 3 to 15 grams a day, but without clinical studies, dosing becomes difficult, to say the least. Toxicities have not been reported even at levels of 15 grams a day in studies with animal models. In a poster presentation at the V International Conference on AIDS, Japanese researchers reported "immunological improvements" in seven of thirteen patients with HIV infection and relatively low CD4/CD8 ratios.[2]

In a review of SSKT as a potential anti-HIV therapy, Notes from the Underground, the newsletter of the New York-based People with AIDS Health Group, concluded that "at present, we believe insufficient data exists to support self-medication with SSKT".[3]

1. Watanabe K, et al. abstract MCP 148. V International Conference on AIDS. 1989.

2. Fujimaki M, et al. abstract WBP 292. V International Conference on AIDS. 1989.

3. Ravitch M. Notes from the Underground. 1992. 17:1-2.

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