Banana Protein BanLec Could Prevent HIV Infection

A chemical found in bananas could prevent people from getting AIDS, researchers say.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on March 18 2010

Image from Wikipedia, by Steve Hopson (stevehopson.com)

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away—but what about bananas?

Beyond making excellent baked goods, it looks like everyone’s favorite yellow fruit could have lifesaving potential. In a new study from the University of Michigan, recently published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers discovered properties in a banana protein known as BanLec that make it a powerful tool in fighting off HIV infection.

Researchers Dr. David Markovitz and his team found that the BanLec chemical can bind to a protein in the HIV virus, blocking it from spreading infection. Because the chemical is naturally produced, the researchers claim that it is far more difficult for the HIV virus to mutate and become resistant to the protein than it is with current anti-HIV drugs.

While condoms are generally considered to be the most effective way to stop the spread of HIV, they’re often used improperly, if at all, in many developing countries—and as a result, the number of people affected by AIDS is shockingly high.

“That’s particularly true in developing countries where women have little control over sexual encounters so development of a long-lasting, self-applied microbicide is very attractive,” said Markovitz.

The University of Michigan team envisions using the BanLec chemical in microbicide creams or gels that women can apply to their vaginal areas, which will prevent them from being infected with the HIV virus even in cases when condoms are not used. Though microbicides currently exist, they are generally too expensive for mass distribution, and the researchers believe the BanLec microbicide could be produced far more cheaply.

Though the banana-made treatment is still years away from reaching the people who need it most, the researchers say there is good reason to be hopeful, even if the treatment isn’t 100 percent successful. Previous studies have claimed that a microbicide with 60 percent accuracy used on 20 percent of the population could save 2.5 million lives within three years. It may not be enough to stop AIDS in its tracks, but it’s a promising start, nonetheless.

Filed under: Health and Wellbeing, Science,

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