Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have made an amazing discovery! A new study in the school has shown that bee venom can kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In their words a toxin called melittin found in bee venom can destroy HIV by poking holes in the envelope surrounding the virus.
Nanoparticles smaller than HIV were infused with the bee venom toxin,
explains U.S. News & World Report. A "protective bumper" was added
to the nanoparticle's surface, allowing it to bounce off normal cells
and leave them intact. Normal cells are larger than HIV, so the
nanoparticles target HIV, which is so small it fits between the bumpers.
“Melittin on the nanoparticles fuses with the viral envelope,” said
research instructor Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD, via the news release. “The
melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the
envelope, stripping it off the virus.” Adding, “We are attacking an
inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way
for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat,
a double-layered membrane that covers the virus.”
This revelation can lead to the development of a vaginal gel to prevent the spread of HIV
and, it seems, an intravenous treatment to help those already infected.
“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,”
said Hood.
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