Bee venom can block HIV virus

Dr. Joshua L Hood and colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine found that toxins in bee venom can kill the HIV virus and not harm surrounding cells. Scientists believe this is an important step to develop a gel that can prevent the spread of HIV.

Poison in venom can be used to prevent the spread of HIV.

The team found that the venom in the bee venom is capable of penetrating the outer protective layer of the HIV virus and gradually destroys this protective layer, making the virus unable to grow.

Scientists inject melittin into nanoparticles. These elements are programmed to recognize and ignore healthy cells in the body. But when it comes to HIV, the toxins in the nanoparticles will be released to penetrate the virus's protective film.

'We are attacking the physical properties of the HIV virus. In theory, they will have no way to adapt to this method, ' said Dr. Joshua L Hood, co-author of the study.

Instead of treating by injecting melittin-containing nanoparticles into the body, the scientists hope they can be developed into a gel form to be used as a way to prevent HIV infection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), currently about 34 million people are infected with HIV globally. Most patients with this dangerous virus are living in low and middle income countries.