Anti-Virus Gum Shows Promise in Reducing Flu and Herpes Transmission
14 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
In an era of increasingly severe global infectious disease threats, researchers at Penn Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, have developed a groundbreaking preventive tool—an antiviral gum—in collaboration with Finnish partners. Published in *Molecular Therapy*, this research demonstrates that the lentil-based chewing gum effectively reduces transmission rates for influenza and herpes simplex viruses.
Infectious diseases significantly impact global health and economies; from COVID-19 to H1N1 and avian flu, their effects are far-reaching. Seasonal influenza alone results in over $11 billion annually in economic losses within the United States, while Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) infects more than two-thirds of people worldwide and is a leading cause of infectious blindness in Western countries. Faced with low influenza vaccination rates and no HSV vaccine available, researchers explored new methods targeting oral transmission pathways—which are often even more efficient for viral spread compared to nasal passages.
This innovation builds upon the team’s previous work on COVID-19, where they demonstrated that similar approaches could reduce SARS-CoV-2 by over 95%. Now led by Professor Henry Daniell from Penn Dental Medicine, this research utilizes lentils (*Lablab purpureus*), naturally containing antiviral trap proteins (FRIL), to create a gum capable of neutralizing two strains each of herpes simplex viruses and influenza A virus.
The study shows that chewing for just 15 minutes releases over half the FRIL protein; even a 40 mg dose reduces viral load by more than 95%. Furthermore, this gum meets FDA clinical drug standards as the FRIL proteins remain stable in lentil powder and gum formulations—a crucial step toward commercialization.
“By targeting where viruses are most effectively transmitted within the oral cavity, such products can fill an important gap in healthcare,” said Professor Daniell.
The research team plans to advance this chewing gum into clinical trials while also exploring its potential against avian flu, prompted by recent outbreaks affecting over 54 million birds across North America with H5N1.
This study has significant public health implications, offering affordable and accessible new preventive strategies for influenza and HSV infections—reducing the burden on healthcare systems and providing communities a novel option in epidemic prevention.
Cnt: (Image source: Shutterstock)
Infectious diseases significantly impact global health and economies; from COVID-19 to H1N1 and avian flu, their effects are far-reaching. Seasonal influenza alone results in over $11 billion annually in economic losses within the United States, while Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) infects more than two-thirds of people worldwide and is a leading cause of infectious blindness in Western countries. Faced with low influenza vaccination rates and no HSV vaccine available, researchers explored new methods targeting oral transmission pathways—which are often even more efficient for viral spread compared to nasal passages.
This innovation builds upon the team’s previous work on COVID-19, where they demonstrated that similar approaches could reduce SARS-CoV-2 by over 95%. Now led by Professor Henry Daniell from Penn Dental Medicine, this research utilizes lentils (*Lablab purpureus*), naturally containing antiviral trap proteins (FRIL), to create a gum capable of neutralizing two strains each of herpes simplex viruses and influenza A virus.
The study shows that chewing for just 15 minutes releases over half the FRIL protein; even a 40 mg dose reduces viral load by more than 95%. Furthermore, this gum meets FDA clinical drug standards as the FRIL proteins remain stable in lentil powder and gum formulations—a crucial step toward commercialization.
“By targeting where viruses are most effectively transmitted within the oral cavity, such products can fill an important gap in healthcare,” said Professor Daniell.
The research team plans to advance this chewing gum into clinical trials while also exploring its potential against avian flu, prompted by recent outbreaks affecting over 54 million birds across North America with H5N1.
This study has significant public health implications, offering affordable and accessible new preventive strategies for influenza and HSV infections—reducing the burden on healthcare systems and providing communities a novel option in epidemic prevention.
Cnt: (Image source: Shutterstock)