It sounds strange: Can an infection with HIV and herpes viruses be prevented in the future without a condom? Swedish scientists have found an alternative that should protect against sexually transmitted diseases. The secret weapon: cow drool.
Researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm have developed a lubricating gel based on cow spit that absorbs and then eliminates viral particles. According to the Study from Stockholm the lubricant is 70 percent effective against HIV. Herpes viruses are even killed to 80 percent.
Another tool in the fight against venereal diseases
Hongji Yan, a biomaterials researcher at the college, told the journal Advanced Science that the promising results give hope. Once available, the product could help reverse worrying trends in the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
Accordingly, the lubricant could be another means in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases. The scientists would see it as an alternative for people who don’t use condoms or who want extra security, for example.
Are cows harmed during production?
The main component of the lubricant is mucin, which is found in the saliva of many living beings. If the lubricant is to be mass-produced, however, the synthetic version of cow spit will be used. The researchers add: “The complexity of the mucin molecules is the main reason why the gel can effectively stop HIV and herpes. There are no side effects. Anyone who uses it also does not develop any resistance, as is otherwise the case with anti-viral substances.”