A Banana a day not only helps to keep the doctor away, but is the key to stopping the Spread of HIV-Aids.
'Researchers in the U.S. discovered that the lectin found in bananas can inhibit HIV infection by blocking the virus's entry into the body. BanLec acts on the protein 'envelope' that encloses HIV's genetic material.
'Researchers in the U.S. discovered that the lectin found in bananas can inhibit HIV infection by blocking the virus's entry into the body. BanLec acts on the protein 'envelope' that encloses HIV's genetic material.
Lead author Michael Swanson, from the University of Michigan, said: 'The problem with some HIV drugs is that the virus can mutate and become resistant, but that's much harder to do in the presence of lectins.
'Lectins can bind to the sugars found on different spots of the HIV-1 envelope, and presumably it will take multiple mutations for the virus to get around them.'
BanLec was as effective in the laboratory as two anti-HIV drugs now in use, T-20 and maraviroc, the scientists found.
Mr Swanson is developing a process to alter BanLec and make it suitable for human patients. The researchers believe it could be used alone or in conjunction with other anti-HIV drugs.
Even modest success could potentially save millions of lives around the world, they claim. Currently new HIV infections are outstripping the rate at which new patients receive anti-HIV drugs by 2.5 to one, say the authors.'
The research is reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Until all this research can be effectively used in treating HIV-Aids patients we cannot stress enough the importance of practicing safe sex even with a long term partner. Remember birth control does not protect you from contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
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