Monday, March 15, 2010

Lectin/BanLec/Bananas/Scientists identify chemical in bananas as potent inhibitor of HIV infection | NNVC.OB Message Board Posts

From IV

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A potent and potential ligand for our HIVCide - lectin from bananas which attracts HIV and attaches to it preventing any cell entry:

Scientists identify chemical in bananas as potent inhibitor of HIV infection

March 15, 2010 Scientists identify chemical in bananas as potent inhibitor of HIV   infection

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This is a 3-D structure of BanLec, a chemical isolated from bananas identified as a potent new inhibitor of HIV infection. Credit: University of Michigan Medical School

A potent new inhibitor of HIV, derived from bananas, may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, according to a University of Michigan Medical School study published this week.

Scientists have an emerging interest in lectins, naturally occurring chemicals in plants, because of their ability to halt the chain of reaction that leads to a variety of infections.

In laboratory tests, BanLec, the lectin found in bananas, was as potent as two current anti-HIV drugs. Based on the findings published March 19 in the , BanLec may become a less expensive new component of applied vaginal microbicides, researchers say.