Experimental chewing gum may reduce the spread of new coronavirus

International war "epidemic" operation

Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, December 6th (intern reporter Zhang Jiaxin) A new study shows that chewing gum containing high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein can "capture" new coronavirus particles and reduce the viral load in saliva.

ACE2 is present on the surface of certain cells in the human body

This time, the researchers grew the ACE2 protein in the lab using a patented plant-based production system, and used it to produce a special kind of chewing gum that contained a copy of the ACE2 protein on its surface

To test the effectiveness of chewing gum, the researchers took saliva samples from Covid-19 patients, mixed those samples with powdered chewing gum, and compared them with a control group (saliva bound to chewing gum without the ACE2 protein)

The researchers also demonstrated that the gum prevented pseudotyped virus, a harmless virus with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on its surface, from infecting cells in the lab

"The new coronavirus replicates in the salivary glands, and when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks, some of that virus can be expelled and passed on to others

However, the researchers say that while the results are exciting, further research is needed before we can chew the gum

Currently, the research team is applying for a clinical trial license to assess whether the method is safe and effective in people infected with the new coronavirus