A new scientific breakthrough from researchers in the United States and Finland may change how we combat infectious diseases spread through saliva. A specially formulated chewing gum has shown promising results in neutralizing herpes and influenza viruses.
Herpes Simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are among the world’s most common infections, often causing cold sores. Yet, effective methods to prevent their transmission have remained elusive.
Now, scientists believe that this gum could play a key role in blocking virus transmission—especially as progress on a herpes vaccine remains slow due to funding challenges.
Unlike flu vaccines, which don’t fully prevent viral transmission, this gum acts as a complementary measure by targeting oral viral load.
The gum is made from lablab bean powder, derived from the seeds of the “Lablab purpureus” plant, and it contains a natural virus-binding protein called FRIL.
In experiments, over 50% of the FRIL protein was released into artificial saliva after 15 minutes of chewing. Lab tests revealed that the gum neutralized:
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Over 95% of influenza viruses (H1N1 & H3N2),
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75% of HSV-1,
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and 94% of HSV-2.
Professor David A. from the University of Pennsylvania, lead author of the study, emphasized: “Our findings highlight the potential of legume-based gum to prevent virus transmission and infection in clinical settings.”
This research builds on earlier studies where a similar gum reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission by 95%. Those COVID-targeted gums are still undergoing clinical trials.
#HealthNews #MedicalBreakthrough #ChewingGumCure #HerpesTreatment #FluPrevention #FRILProtein #VirusTransmission #ScienceUpdate #ClinicalTrials #USResearch
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