AEGiS-11IAC: The effect of gramicidin, microbicide and spermicide, against HIV and herpes virus infections.

11th International AIDS Conference

Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

The effect of gramicidin, microbicide and spermicide, against HIV and herpes virus infections.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:16 (abstract no. We.A.513)
Bourinbaiar AS, Fruhstorfer EC, Lopes R; Metatron, Inc., New York, NY, USA. Fax: 212-598-0074. E-mail: emballon@pipeline.com.

OBJECTIVE: Currently available spermicides with anti-HIV activity, such as nonoxynol-9, are not effective. Since 80% of AIDS cases are sex-borne, better alternative substances are urgently needed.

METHODS: The serial ten-fold dilutions of gramicidin were tested in vitro for the suppression of HIV and Herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 (HSV) infections using standard antiviral assays specific for each type of virus. Various spermicidal agents, e.g., nonoxynol-9, gossipol and antiviral agents, e.g., acyclovir, dextran sulfate, were used as controls.

RESULTS: Gramicidin inhibited both HIV and HSV infection at doses that were not cytotoxic. Based on several experiments with multiple replicates for each dilution of drug it appears that 100% inhibition of HIV and HSV infections was achieved by 10 ng and 100 ng of gramicidin respectively. In contrast, control antivirals and spermicides were either less efficient, requiring much larger doses, or too toxic. Gramicidin was also effective against acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV.

CONCLUSIONS: Extensive clinical trials were carried out in the former Soviet Union to identify the spermicidal activity of gramicidin. As a result, gramicidin has been routinely used by millions of individuals. Gramicidin is a safe and inexpensive antibiotic approved by FDA for topical use. In the USA gramicidin is used in topical ophthalmic preparations (Neosporin) at concentration of less than 25 micrograms/ml rarely causing irritation as it is poorly absorbed by the skin or mucous membranes. Due to its activity against fungal (C. Albicans) and protozoan infections gramicidin is useful against STDs. This compound has a good potential as a spermicidal/microbicide with anti-HIV and anti-HSV activities for the following reasons: it is cheap, stable, non-irritating, does not smell or stain, and 1000-times more potent than nonoxynol-9.

Keywords: AEGIS, Spermatocidal Agents, Nonoxynol, HIV, Gramicidin, Acyclovir, Antiviral Agents, Herpesviridae Infections, Herpesvirus 1, Human, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Herpes Simplex, Anti-HIV Agents, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Core Protein p24, Anti-Infective Agents, Local, USSR, In Vitro, ICA11

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WeA513