TOUFIQ RASHID Posted online: Friday, July 16, 2004 at 0502 hours IST Updated: Friday, July 16, 2004 at 1321 hours IST
Bangkok, July 16: Lemon juice vs HIV virus: this is among the hottest topics being debated at the XVth International AIDS conference. Australian scientists claim studies among macaques have shown lemon juice a quick killer of the virus and they are ready for human trials.
Besides being used for protection against HIV infection, the juice can be used for its contraceptive benefits, says Professor Roger V.Short, scientist and Wexler Professorial Fellow at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. Short claims to have made the ‘‘dramatic discovery’’ when he found the juice of lemon killed the HIV virus in a test tube. He is now working on the project with the support of the Thai government; Thai health minister Mechai Viraviadya has shown special interest in the project. If the research succeeds, all that women or men will need to do is use it as an ointment before intercourse, he said. Human trials will soon begin in Thailand.
Roger said a group of scientists studied the effects of 20 per cent lemon juice on HIV in culture and ‘‘it appears to kill the virus very quickly’’. ‘‘A final concentration of 20 per cent lemon juice irreversibly immobilises 100 per cent of spermatozoa in less than 30 seconds,’’ said the scientist. Lemon juice has also been found effective against syphilis and gonorrhea, he said.
‘‘We have carried out a controlled trial in a group of macaque monkeys where lemon juice was applied on the vagina once a day. The reproductive tracts were examined regularly and there was no damage, so it is safe to proceed with human trials,’’ Short said.
Experts, however, don’t want to comment before the human trials are carried out. ‘‘We can’t say anything at this stage. There are many research studies going around the world. But commenting on any one at such a preliminary stage will not be good,’’ said Dr S.P. Agarwal, Director General Health Services.
Bangkok, July 16: Lemon juice vs HIV virus: this is among the hottest topics being debated at the XVth International AIDS conference. Australian scientists claim studies among macaques have shown lemon juice a quick killer of the virus and they are ready for human trials.
