South Korean Study Finds That Combining Xanthan Gum with Camostat Can Combat Influenza Infection
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 25, 2025 2 hours, 55 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists Investigate a Promising Approach to Combat Influenza
A team of researchers from Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pusan National University, and Kunsan National University in South Korea has unveiled a new strategy in the fight against the influenza virus. Their study focused on the antiviral properties of xanthan gum (XG) - a common food additive - and camostat, a drug originally developed to treat pancreatitis. The results suggest that these substances, when used together, may offer a powerful new way to combat influenza infections.
South Korean Study Finds That Combining Xanthan Gum with Camostat Can Combat Influenza Infection
Influenza is a serious global health problem, causing seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. While vaccines and antiviral drugs are available, their effectiveness is often limited by the virus's ability to mutate rapidly. This
Medical News report highlights the key findings from the study and what they mean for future treatments.
Understanding the Experiment: How the Study Was Conducted
The study involved both laboratory and animal experiments to determine whether xanthan gum and camostat could reduce the severity of influenza infections. The researchers tested these substances separately and in combination, measuring their effects on virus levels, lung health, and overall survival rates.
-In Vivo (Animal) Studies: The scientists conducted tests on mice infected with the influenza A virus (H1N1). Some mice were treated with xanthan gum, some with camostat, and others with both. The team monitored their body weight, survival, and lung tissue health.
-In Vitro (Lab) Experiments: Using cell cultures, the researchers examined how well the combination of xanthan gum and camostat could prevent the influenza virus from infecting cells.
Their results revealed that xanthan gum alone had antiviral effects, but its effectiveness was significantly enhanced when combined with camostat.
Key Findings: A New Potential Flu Treatment
The study uncovered several important findings:
1.Xanthan Gum Reduced Influenza Severity in Mice
-Mice treated with xanthan gum experienced less weight loss - a key symptom of influenza.
-The virus levels in their lungs were significantly lower than in untreated mice.
-Their lung tissue remained healthier compared to infected mice that did not receive treatment.
2.Camostat Boosted the Effectiveness of Xanthan Gum
-When camostat was added to the treatment, the antiviral effects were even stronger.
-The combination treatment reduced viral load more effectively than either substance alone.
3.Low Doses Were Effec
tive
-Even at low concentrations, xanthan gum and camostat together showed strong antiviral activity.
-This means that small amounts of the combination could be enough to provide protection against the virus.
4.Potential for Broader Use
-The study tested the effects of the combination on different strains of the influenza virus, including H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B.
-In all cases, the treatment showed promising results, indicating its potential as a broad-spectrum flu therapy.
What This Means for the Future of Influenza Treatment
These findings suggest that xanthan gum and camostat could be used together as a new approach to fighting influenza infections. Because xanthan gum is already widely used in the food industry and camostat is an approved drug, this combination could be fast-tracked for further development.
Unlike vaccines, which need to be updated annually, and antiviral drugs that can lose effectiveness due to resistance, this strategy targets the virus differently. By preventing the virus from infecting cells in the first place, it may provide a more stable and long-lasting defense against influenza.
Conclusion
The study provides strong evidence that xanthan gum and camostat work together to fight the influenza virus more effectively than either one alone. The combination treatment reduced viral levels, improved lung health, and helped infected mice recover faster. If further studies confirm these findings, this could lead to a new antiviral therapy that is affordable, widely available, and easy to use.
Scientists now aim to test the combination on human subjects to determine its safety and effectiveness in real-world conditions. If successful, this could change the way influenza is treated and prevented in the future.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Viruses.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/301
For the latest Influenza News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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