Dental scientists develop antiviral chewing gum to fight Herpes and Bird Flu
PHILADELPHIA: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, in collaboration with Finnish scientists, are developing a clinical-grade antiviral chewing gum that shows promise in neutralizing herpes viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and avian flu strains H5N1 and H7N9.
This novel gum, derived from lablab beans (Lablab purpureus), contains a broad-spectrum antiviral protein called FRIL, which acts as a molecular trap for viruses. In lab testing, this protein successfully neutralized multiple viral strains, including herpes simplex viruses and avian influenza, which are responsible for serious health threats and economic losses worldwide. Henry Daniell, W.D. Miller Professor at Penn Dental Medicine says:
“A broad-spectrum antiviral protein (FRIL) present in a natural food product (bean powder) to neutralize not only human flu viruses but also avian (bird) flu is a timely innovation to prevent their infection and transmission.”
Promising implications for human and animal health
- The chewing gum is part of a broader scientific initiative that includes:
- Neutralizing viruses in the human mouth, where transmission often begins.
- Exploring FRIL-infused bird feed to limit the spread of avian influenza in poultry farms.
- Building on previous success in COVID-19 research, where a similar gum reduced SARS-CoV-2 in patient saliva by over 95%.
Avian flu, especially strains like H5N1 and H7N9, poses a risk of zoonotic spillover to humans. Seasonal flu alone costs the U.S. economy over $11.2 billion annually, underscoring the urgent need for preventive solutions.
Backed by scientific authority
The project is being supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under grant R01 HL 107904. The Daniell lab’s innovative work is rooted in decades of expertise in plant-based protein delivery, with clinical trials already underway for the SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing gum.
What’s next?
If successful in ongoing clinical trials, this antiviral chewing gum could:
- Become a simple, safe, and low-cost method to help curb the transmission of infectious diseases.
- Find applications in healthcare, agriculture, and public health, with potential use in airports, schools, and poultry farms.
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