Viva gel, an experimental sex lubricant currently being tried on women as a contraceptive, which has been designed by Australian researchers, and is also thought to help block the viruses responsible for AIDS and genital herpes. Laboratory tests done on animals showed that the microbicide gel has the power to inactivate these viruses.
Dr. Jeremy Paull, the lead researcher from Melbourne-based pharmaceutical company known as Starpharma in a conference at the International AIDS society in Sydney said that the gel can be used by heterosexual men when applied directly to them before sex. If the gel truly works, it would be of significance around the world, especially in the sub-Saharan African nations where heterosexuals are basically responsible for the rising number of HIV cases.
As per Paull, the microbicide gel contains a molecule, known as ‘dendrimer’ which prevents the viruses from infecting healthy cells by binding itself to them. The tests on the lab animals show that it has a success rate of 85 and 100% for both the viruses. Now, the concern is that will the gel be safe for human application. The first study that has already been conducted reveals that it is safe for healthy men.
Dr.Paull also said, ‘The prevention of herpes indication, given the level of the epidemic in the developed world, perhaps gives us a different angle.’ Dr.Roberta, of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who chaired the conference session said, ‘I believe it may be unique in terms of development for two different indications, both genital herpes and HIV.’ If the results come out positive, it will certainly be a breakthrough which will hopefully bring down the number of people suffering from the epidemic known as AIDS.
Source: Foxnews
Image Credit: Isabelperez
