[ad_1]
The researchers have developed a chewing gum which they believe can potentially reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Chewing gum contains a vegetable protein which acts as a “trap” for the virus. This lowers the viral load in saliva and potentially slows down transmission, say the researchers, who published their study in the journal Molecular Therapy.
When a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 sneezes, coughs or speaks, part of the virus can be expelled and reach others. Chewing gum targets the virus in saliva and does so by trapping it with the ACE2 protein.
The ACE2 protein in humans is where the coronavirus attaches itself to enter the cell. Before the pandemic, Henry Daniell of the University of Pennsylvania was studying ACE2 for the treatment of hypertension. His lab had cultivated ACE2 using a patented plant-based production system.
Daniell and his colleague Hyun (Michel) Koo were also working on the development of a vegetable protein-infused chewing gum to disrupt dental plaque. Daniell wondered if such a gum, infused with plant-based ACE2, could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in the oral cavity, the University of Pennsylvania said in a statement.
Daniell, Koo, and virologist Ronald Collman grew ACE2 in plants, along with another compound, and incorporated the resulting plant material into cinnamon gum tablets. By incubating samples obtained from nasopharyngeal swabs of patients positive for Covid with the gum tissue, they found that ACE2 could neutralize SARS-CoV-2.
Newsletter | Click for the best explanations of the day to your inbox
.
|
Sources 2/ https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/plant-based-chewing-gum-traps-coronavirus-7659872/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
[ad_2]