An Asian violet known as Viola yedoensis is showing promise as a new therapy in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The plant contains tiny proteins called cyclotides which which appear to kill off infected cells.The ancient herb has been used for centuries in China for the treatment of burns, inflammation, carbuncles, boils, snakebite, bronchitis and hepatitis.
A team of scientists from the University of Queensland, Australia, conducted tests by applying cyclotides to two sets of cells, one infected with HIV and the other virus-free, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Professor David Craik, from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, said the objective was to see how many of the cells infected with HIV were destroyed after the application of the cyclotides.
"The results were encouraging," Prof. Craik said.
The results of the study were presented at COMBIO 2007, a meeting of biochemistry and molecular biology specialists. The National Cancer Institute in the United States and the Division of Pharmacology at Uppsala University in Sweden also participated in the research.
Complementary Medicine | Natural Health | Nutrition | Herbal Supplements | Nutritional Supplements | Dr. David Ross, ND, CNHP | DrDavidRoss.com
No comments:
Post a Comment