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St. John’s Wort and HIV suppression |
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St. John’s Wort and HIV suppression
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Darrell Miller | 12/15/05 |
Date:
December 15, 2005 10:55 AM
Author: Darrell Miller
(dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: St. John’s Wort and HIV suppression
St. John’s Wort and HIV suppression
A study published online in Oct. 27th issue of Gene Therapy found that protein extracted from St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) suppresses HIV-1 expression and inhibits its replication. Kamel Khalili, Ph.D., and researchers at Temple University school of Medicine’s department of neuroscience and Center for Neurovirology made the discovery while studying the effect of St. John’s wort extracts on cell growth and the behavior of brain cells in vitro.
However, the researchers caution that the protein studied (named p27SJ) may not be present in the St.John’s wort available in supplement form. “We don’t know yet how we have to deliver the protein to cells infected with HIV-1,” Khalili said. “Even if the protein were present in the tablets, we don’t know how much might be present and whether the protein would be effective when ingested.”
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