More than 6,000 women in South Africa has been recruited for the Phase 3 clinical trials of the microbicide gel against AIDS called Carraguard. According to the Population Council:

Carraguard^® (formerly known as PC-515) is the Population Council's lead candidate microbicide, a gel whose active pharmaceutical ingredient is made from carrageenan, a substance derived from seaweed. Carrageenan is inexpensive and stable and has been used for hundreds of years as a thickener in foods and as an emulsifier in topical creams and lotions.

Previous in vitro and in vivo trials have shown Carraguard to prevent HIV transmission, by lining the vaginal mucosa, thereby blocking the HIV virus from entering the cells.

This Phase 3 clinical trials are conducted to confirm that Carraguard® Gel can prevent the transmission of HIV when used during vaginal intercourse, and that the gel is safe for vaginal use. The study is expected to be concluded early 2007.

Source: Womens E-news, Photo: PopCouncil