Objective To evaluate the application range and exact effect of Chinese medicine on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome（AIDS）.Methods The related clinical literature on Chinese medicine for AIDS from January 1998to December 2011was collected in China National Knowledge Infrastructure

Wangfang Database and VIP Database.The observed object

sample size

observation time

test method

observation content and efficacy evaluation were evaluated.Results Totally 171 articles were included and 8 742patients were involved.The research methods consisted of TCM compound formulas

classical formulas

acupuncture and moxibustion.There were 45kinds of compound formulas such as Yiaikang Capsule

Ailing Granules and Fuzheng Paidu Tablet.The observed objects were mostly human immunodeficiency virus（HIV）infection/AIDS patients.The sample size ranged from 3to 1 634cases.The observation time lasted for 3to 6months.The self-contrast was commonly used in the clinical trials.The observation content was improvement of patient immunity.The efficacy evaluation adopted symptom score improvement

counts of CD4+and its subsets

viral load

conventional indicators and biochemical indicators.The observed objects in classical formulas research were AIDS patients mainly.The sample size ranged from 20to 65cases.The observation time lasted for 1month.The self-contrast was commonly used in the clinical trials.The efficacy evaluation mainly adopted symptom improvement with different evaluation standards.The observed objects in acupuncture and moxibustion research were AIDS patients.The sample size ranged from 20to 274cases.The observation time mainly lasted for 3month.The test methods were mostly randomized controlled.The observation content mainly focused on moxibustion for AIDS-associated diarrhea.The efficacy evaluation was relatively clear.Conclusion Chinese medicine can obviously relieve the symptoms and improve the quality of life in AIDS patients but related research should further clarify the object and increase the sample size and observation time.