Ingredient in Green Tea May Block HIV
Saturday May 23, 2009
In the search to find a vaginal gel that would protect a woman from HIV infection, researchers think they may have found a substance that could be the last piece in the puzzle to develop such a gel. Green tea, long noted for its health benefits, contains a substance that appears to block HIV infection. The biggest hurdle in finding an effective anti-HIV vaginal gel is that such a gel must not be irritating to vaginal mucousa. Such irritation can actually increase the risk of HIV infection. In addition, any effective gel would have to remain stable in the very acidic enviroment of the vagina. A substance in green tea, EGCG seems to fit all those requirements. Researchers also noted that not only does EGCG block the process that results in HIV infection, it also has anti-HIV activity on its own. If green tea and EGCG does prove effective it could lead to an inexpensive and effective anti-HIV vaginal gel.Related Information
I support anything that can help rid our world of HIV. Lovely to know that TEA is one of the solutions on the table right now.
well well well…it is good to read that. this may be a solution to the thousands of prostitutes in africa that cannot negotiate condom with their customers.
we may have found a solution even to wives that are overpowered by their own husbands even when they suspect an HIV infection…now they may be able to use this gel even without the knowledge of their partners…
but when will it reach Africans??? may be another 10 to 15 years? just like the ARVs??
hopefully not…
it’s realy gud to read, hoppefully it will come soon.