Bee venom could be used to prevent HIV infection, researchers have reported.
Researchers say the venom could be used to develop a gel to help women protect themselves against infection.
The gel is being developed by using nanoparticles to carry a poison found in the venom, melittin.
Studies have shown the nanoparticles can kill the virus while leaving surrounding cells unharmed.
The research has been undertaken at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA, and reported in the journal Antiviral Therapy.
The researchers have found that melittin attacks the virus’s structure – rather than attacking its ability to replicate as most current drugs do.
They used a particle developed some years ago in the hope it could be used for artificial blood. They say it proved poor at delivering oxygen but does circulate safely in the body.
Researcher Dr Joshua Hood said: "Our hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this gel as a preventive measure to stop the initial infection.
“We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that."
Cytolytic nanoparticles attenuate HIV-1 infectivity. Antiviral Therapy. Vol. 19: 95 – 103. 2013
Leave a Reply