A sensational claim by doctors has been made this week. Scientists said that a chemical found in the venom from bee stings could help stop the spread of HIV. Those toxins, said researchers, can kill the HIV and leave surrounding cells intake and not harmed.
Researchers said the new development is exciting and believe it is one more important step in the development of a special gel to stop the spreading of the disease that is so deadly.
The chemical bees produce in their venom is Melittin and it can destroy the HIV by puncturing the out layer of cells, which helps protect them. Scientists were able to insert the toxin into nanoparticles that were fitted with a special set of bumpers giving them the ability to bounce off normal cells without hurting them.
However, HIV virus cells are smaller and when they came in contact, they fell in between the special bumpers and were attacked by the venom’s toxins. Dr. Joshua Hood, the lead expert in the study from the University of Washington said the toxin from the bees could be put into a special vaginal gel that could help to prevent the spread of HIV.
His hope is the gel can one day be used in places throughout the world where the presence of HIV is high. Woman could apply the gel to be used as a prevention and protection method so initial infection does not occur.
Most drugs only slow down the growth of the virus, but the venom from bees attacks the virus and eventually kills it so initial infection would not take place.
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