Bee venom could prevent the spread of HIV. Researchers found that the
toxin in bee venom, called melittin, puts holes in the protective
protein coating that surrounds viruses and bacteria, killing them
without harming healthy human cells. The finding could lead to the development of a vaginal gel that’s easier
for some women to use than trying to convince their partner to wear a
condom. It could help a
person who is HIV +tive conceive child without spreading the virus
to the fetus.Before putting the toxin in a gel, it is first encased in extremely tiny spheres or nanoparticles, that were originally designed to deliver drugs. Because these nanoparticles have been around for a while, scientists know that they circulate safely in the body. But the researchers, , had to tweak the design of the nanoparticles so that they wouldn’t allow the toxin to come into contact with other cells in the body. To that end, they added molecular “bumpers” to the surface of the nanoparticles. The bumpers are just the right size so that small AIDS viruses can get through but large cells cannot.
The melittin kills the virus by breaking down the protective, which it needs in order to live and replicate. Other HIV medications focus on preventing the virus from reproducing. But focusing on reproduction doesn’t prevent the infection in the first place because the virus is still alive. Killing it outright prevents that infection.
One added benefit of the nanoparticles’ “bumpers” is that since they prevent the mellitin from reaching normal cells, they won’t harm sperm cells. That means a vaginal gel could be used by couples that want to have children and reduce their HIV risk at the same time. A gel could also help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases too. In other forms it might work against hepatitis, for instance.
