American researchers have developed an antiviral chewing gum that drastically reduces the presence of flu viruses and herpes in saliva, offering a new daily defense against more common respiratory and oral infections
A new chewing gum, developed by a group of American scientists, has proven to be able to neutralize up to 95% of flu viruses and herpesacting directly in the oral cavity. A surprising discovery that opens new perspectives in the field of daily viral prevention.
This extraordinary result comes thanks to the collaboration between the University of Illinois in Chicago and the Biotechnology Biomedical biotechnology company. The team has developed a chewing gum which, in addition to having a taste similar to that of traditional tires, contains a natural protein capable of Disable viruses such as influence and herpes simplex.
This protein, called Cyovarinebinds to the surface of the viruses by preventing them from infecting new cells. In laboratory studies, the researchers observed that after just five minutes of chewing, the amount of viruses in saliva was reduced to 95%.
Cyovarine has long been known for its antiviral properties, but so far it had been tested above all in clinical contexts or in topical formulations. The idea of integrate this substance into a chewing gum She was born with the aim of offering a simple, practical and economic solution to counteract viral diffusion in the population.
A potential revolution in daily prevention against respiratory viruses and oral infections
The main advantage of this rubber lies in the methods of administration: chewing it allows the antiviral protein to distribute directly into saliva, which is one of the main virus transmission vehicles. This means that the rubber can act like preventive barrierreducing the viral charge even in the absence of symptoms.
Currently, the product is in the clinical experimentation phase, but the first results are extremely promising. Scientists hope to obtain approval for commercial use, in order to make one available to the public chewing rubber capable of fighting common viruses such as influence, colds and herpes.
According to the researchers, the regular use of the rubber could represent a further weapon in the Fight against seasonal infectionsespecially in crowded environments such as schools, public transport or offices. It is not a substitute for vaccines, but a complementary tool to reduce the transmission.
