Researchers Developed a Chewing Gum to Counteract Herpes and Influenza
New and Exciting Developments: Antiviral Chewing Gum
Munch on this: scientists have concocted a chewing gum that, in lab tests, has been successful in zapping the influenza virus and those that cause herpes, HSV-1, and HSV-2. The innovation comes from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine, where researchers have whipped up this flavorsome defense using bean powder.
The researchers have put their brains (and beans) together for quite some time. In previous endeavors, they developed a gum made from plant-based materials that could trap SARS-CoV-2 in people's spit. Their latest creation employs a different plant, Lablab purpureus, also known as the lablab bean, native to sub-Saharan Africa and popular in tropical areas. The research crew has discovered that this bean's natural defense, a protein known as Flt3 Receptor Interacting Lectin (FRIL), can bind to various viruses.
To check the strength of theirnew gum, the researchers allowed samples of influenza, along with HSV-1 and HSV-2, to lurk around with FRIL. They found that this protein could effectively neutralize the viruses with hefty doses. Using a mechanical mouth, they simulated chewing the gum and discovered that a two-gram gum tablet containing 40 milligrams of bean powder could slash the viral loads of these viruses by over 95%.
"These findings suggest that we're on the right track evaluating bean gum for human studies to reduce virus infection/transmission," the scientists declared in their paper, published in the journal Molecular Theory.
While their research is still in its infancy, they have followed FDA guidelines for anything intended to thwart infections. Moreover, the gum has demonstrated that it can remain stable and safe to masticate for at least two years.
Antiviral medications and vaccines are already available for both flu and herpes, but they all have limitations. The current flu vaccines, for example, dreadfully sous-perform in preventing transmission once someone is infected. Antiviral medications for herpes minimize the risk of transmission, but many people may not even realize they have herpes due to an absence of symptoms. Herpes can transmit through saliva, and not just when it causes illness (this includes spreading to one's nether regions through oral sex). There are currently no vaccines for either strain of herpes virus.
Hoping for a novel and efficient method to combat the spread of viruses like influenza and HSV-1/2 transmitted via saliva, the researchers want to determine whether bird feed laced with FRIL can halt bird flu from propagating among poultry. With such promising lab results, they're dreaming about human clinical trials.
As lead researcher, Henry Daniell cheerfully proclaimed from the university, "Having a broad-spectrum antiviral protein (FRIL) found in a natural food product (bean powder) to neutralize not only human flu viruses but also avian (bird) flu is timely innovation for preventing their infection and transmission."
In my humble opinion, I'd undoubtedly prefer popping a stick of gum during the winter to shield my dear ones from catching my flu germs, though hopefully, the taste won't resemble beans.
- The future of health-and-wellness may include a new form of defense against viruses, as scientists from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine have created a flavorsome chewing gum that can neutralize influenza, HSV-1, and HSV-2.
- The antiviral gum, made from Lablab purpureus, or lablab bean, has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in lab tests, with a two-gram gum tablet reducing viral loads by over 95%.
- In a quest to combat the spread of viruses like influenza and HSV-1/2, researchers are contemplating utilizing FRIL, the antiviral protein found in the gum, to halt bird flu among poultry.
- While antiviral medications and vaccines are available for flu and herpes, they all have limitations, such as poor performance in preventing flu transmission or the absence of symptoms, making it possible for herpes to spread through saliva.
- The FDA guidelines have been followed in preparing the antiviral gum for potential human studies, and it has proven stable and safe for at least two years.
- Researchers are optimistic about human clinical trials for this gum, hoping it will provide a novel and efficient method to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
- With an innovation like the antiviral gum, one can dream of a future where medical-conditions like influenza and herpes are tackled with a simple piece of technology – a chewing gum.
