Saturday, March 20, 2010

Bananas Can Inhibit HIV ?



Experts indicate, bananas have a substance that has the potential to become an obstacle to HIV infection. These findings are expected to open a new window in the treatment of prevention of HIV infection has yet to find a cure.

Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School are interested in lectins, chemicals that are naturally in plants, because of its ability to stop the chain reaction of various types of infections. Laboratory test results show, BanLec, lectins found in bananas, as effective as anti-HIV drugs at this time.

A new way to stop the spread of HIV is absolutely necessary. We have a number of new HIV infections exceeds the number of individuals who received antiretroviral drugs, namely 2.5 to 1. In fact, there are no signs of an HIV vaccine would be present in the near future.

At present the use of condoms is still so prevention of HIV transmission is most effective when used consistently and correctly. Other prevention strategies are also effective means to prevent transmission through the vagina and rectum using a drug that prevents HIV entry into target cells.

Research conducted by Michigan State University researcher shows how lectins can identify the attackers from outside the body, such as viruses, and attack him as a pathogen, can be developed to identify the HIV virus.

Besides having the same potential anti-HIV drugs currently available, the banana lectins are also much cheaper to produce as a drug that can reach the wider community. Lectins from banana is believed to be more effective when used in preventive medicine components of the virus that spread the genitals or anus.

"The problem for anti-HIV drugs is the ability of the virus to mutate and become resistant. However, it can be prevented by lectins. Lectins can be attached to the sugar found in various points of HIV-1 envelope and the estimated need of mutation for the virus to multiply get it, "said Erwin J Goldstein, PhD, professor of biological chemistry.

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