This is not science fiction. It is from University of Pennsylvania researchers.
Transform plant cells with a gene targeted to the chloroplast that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike-binding ACE2 receptor. Incorporate the transformed plant cells into chewing gum. When the gum is chewed, the ACE2 receptor is released from the chloroplasts and binds to SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in saliva reducing the viral load by >95%.
“Chewing gum with virus-trapping proteins offers a general affordable strategy to protect patients from most oral virus re-infections through debulking or minimizing transmission to others.”
Debulking SARS-CoV-2 in saliva using angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in chewing gum to decrease oral virus transmission and infection
Pin57, I don't know the timeline for the chewing gum.
However, the authors of this paper are awaiting FDA approval of an Investigational New Drug Application that they filed for an oral tablet containing the chloroplast-expressed ACE2 for use in early COVID infections.
I don’t know whether an application has been filed for the chewing gum. Actually, this group had been working on a chloroplast gene expression-based oral ACE2 treatment for hypertension even before COVID hit.
Investigational new drug enabling angiotensin oral-delivery studies to attenuate pulmonary hypertension Biomaterials March 2020
I remember as a child in the 1940's being given a Dr. provided coated blue pill to hold pill in mouth to melt the coating and then chew the gum inside for my sore throat from tonsillitis. I was instructed to spit the gum out after the flavor was gone---and that was actually not very long (at least in my memory).
I cannot find any history of that, but it was my experience.
I thought it was a joke. When I sneeze and cough the droplets are not only coming from the saliva in the mouth but from the lungs too. There is no way I would rely on a person's chewing gum to save me from infection 🤣
The Aspergum worked to deliver aspirin into the system, I would assume the gum is a delivery mode and one that can be used on the way to the ER and for anyone who needs the quicker help.
I certainly hope it works as a lifesaver and I think it is a brilliant idea to try.
Makes sense to me. Sometime in last year I read an article on research that anti-bacterial mouth wash reduced the chances of getting CV-19. That CV-19 is ingested through mouth. I gargle every morning and night with salt/baking soda water that I started at doctors suggestion while under treatment for mouth sores.
It will be interesting (to me, anyway) to see what nefarious intent the Covid deniers will put on this gum....and if it's hailed as a substitute for masks, how the anti-maskers will twist asking people to chew anti-Covid gum in lieu of wearing one.
The idea is beautiful in its simplicity. It should work to some extent on all Covid variants, all coronaviruses? It might even be an alternative to ACE inhibitors for hypertension etc theconversation.com/what-is... an old article but useful background reading.
I asked my cll specialist at University of Penn about this chewing gum. He said he hasn't heard about but he will check into it. I'll update you all when I hear anymore. Cindi
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