Banana-Derived Lectins: Inhibits HIV Infection

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics , Food and Agriculture on March 15, 2010

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The naturally-occurring chemicals in plants -called lectins- are of sudden interest to scientists as they have the property to halt a chain reaction that leads to various infections.

Now, the lectins found in bananas - BanLec - has been found in laboratory tests to be as potent as two current anti-HIV drugs. Such were the findings published March 19 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, thereby suggesting that BanLec may become a less expensive new component of applied vaginal microbicides.

The new research describes the complex actions of lectins and their ability to outsmart HIV. Lectins are sugar-binding proteins. They can identify foreign invaders, like a virus, and attach themselves to the pathogen.

The U-M team discovered BanLec, the lectin in bananas, can inhibit HIV infection by binding to the sugar-rich HIV-1 envelope protein, gp120, and blocking its entry to the body.

We all know that condoms, when properly used regularly, is an effective method of preventing HIV infection. But still, new ways of combating HIV infection is certainly needed. Read the full report on Science Daily.