“SARS-CoV-2 replicates in the salivary glands, and we know that when someone d sneezes, coughs, or speaks some of that virus can be expelled and reach others,” mentioned researcher Henry Daniell from the University of Pennsylvania within the US.
“This gum offers an opportunity to neutralise the virus in the saliva, giving us a simple way to possibly cut down on a source of disease transmission,” Daniell added.
To check the chewing gum, the staff grew angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in crops, paired with one other compound that permits the protein to cross mucosal obstacles and facilitates binding, and included the ensuing plant materials into cinnamon-flavoured gum tablets.
Incubating samples obtained from nasopharyngeal swabs from Covid-positive sufferers with the gum, they confirmed that the ACE2 current might neutralise SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
Those preliminary investigations have been adopted by others, wherein viruses, less-pathogenic than SARS-CoV-2, have been modified to precise the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
The analysis staff is at the moment working towards acquiring permission to conduct a scientific trial to judge whether or not the method is secure and efficient when examined in individuals contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.
Source: IANS
