A gum that stops herpes?

According to a recent Molecular Therapy study​ and a ScienceAlert report, scientists have developed a special virus-trapping gum that can neutralize herpes viruses. In experiments, this gum "trapped" and deactivated common viruses like influenza and herpes simplex (HSV) right in the mouth, dramatically reducing the amount of virus that could potentially spread. With herpes infections so widespread and no approved vaccine available yet, this clever chewing-gum approach could become a much-needed tool in how to prevent herpes transmission in the real world.

How virus trapping works

The secret ingredient in the gum is a natural protein from lablab beans called FRIL, short for fructose-binding lectin. Lectins are proteins that glom onto sugar molecules – and many viruses are covered in sugary structures. By sticking to these sugars, FRIL effectively locks up the virus and clumps multiple viruses together (like a molecular Velcro), preventing them from infecting our cells. This means the virus is neutralized – less able to invade and multiply​. It's a broad antiviral strategy because many different viruses (flu, herpes, even coronaviruses) share similar sugar-coated shells. Interestingly, those sugary bits are rare on human cells, so FRIL mostly ignores your own tissues while it targets the germs. Scientists have been exploring such mucosal antiviral tricks for a while; for example, a red algae protein called griffithsin can bind to virus sugars and block HIV and HSV-2 in lab and animal studies. In short, the gum gives your mucosal immunity a boost by catching viruses at the gate (your saliva) before they can cause trouble.

What makes this gum special?

This herpes gum therapy stands out for several reasons:

• Broad-Spectrum Punch: In lab tests, a small amount of the gum's extract neutralized over 95% of flu viruses and up to 94% of herpes viruses (HSV-2, and ~75% of HSV-1)​. Such broad antiviral activity is rare for a single product.

• Traps Viruses at the Source: Chewing the gum releases FRIL into saliva, where it snags viruses right where they spread. The mouth and throat are major transmission hubs for viruses like flu and herpes, so lowering the viral load there could greatly cut down on contagion.

• Safe & Snackable: The gum is made from edible bean powder, and FRIL has passed safety tests – it's non-toxic and stable. In fact, the protein stays effective for over two years at room temperature in the gum​. The U.S. FDA already classifies lablab bean powder as safe for consumption​.

• Easy Preventative: Unlike complex drugs or vaccines, this approach is as simple as chewing a piece of gum. It could complement vaccines (which don't always stop transmission) by adding a second layer of defense in the mouth​. It's a low-tech, affordable idea – the kind of clever simplicity Slothwise can't help but smile at.

Researchers caution that while results so far are exciting, clinical trials will be the real test to see if the gum works as well in actual humans. But if all goes well, we might one day literally chew on a solution for herpes and other viruses. A fun, fruity gum that boosts your antiviral defenses? That's a sweet example of science and innovation – and something Slothwise would happily chew over any day!​

Sources: 

• The study by Daniell et al., Molecular Therapy (April 2025)

• Carly Cassella, ScienceAlert (10 April 2025)​ 

• Additional insights from Nature Communications​