New antiviral chewing gum to fight infection, flu & herpes virus

US researchers developed an antiviral chewing gum using lablab bean extract (FRIL protein) to reduce viral loads of HSV-1, HSV-2, and influenza A strains by over 95% in experiments. Targeting the oral cavity, the gum meets FDA drug standards and shows potential for human trials. Researchers now aim to tackle bird flu with the same approach.