Anti-HIV Vaginal Gel Shows Promise

The researchers created a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) in a laboratory as well as the gels that contained two small molecules and a peptide (protein) -- alone and in combination -- designed to block SHIV from attacking cells at or near the tissue lining of the vagina and tested them on monkeys. The main goal was to see if the gels could stop SHIV from entering the monkeys’ bodies.

First they put gels in the monkeys’ genitals and half an hour later the monkeys were exposed to high-dose SHIV. Three different anti-viral agents in a vaginal gel protected female monkeys against an HIV-like virus.

It is thought that a microbicide that uses compounds that interfere with HIV's ability to attach and enter cells could provide a safe and effective way to protect women from contracting HIV. Besides preventing the virus to enter the cells, these experimental gels did not cause vaginal irritation or inflammation either.

Previous efforts to develop an effective microbicide did not give results but the scientists are encouraged by these new candidates. More studies need to be done in order to establish the safety and effectiveness of these microbicides in women.