Anti-HIV effect of gramicidin in vitro: potential for spermicide use
Bourinbaiar, A.S.; Krasinski, K.; Borkowsky, W.
Life Sciences 54(1): PL5-PL9
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-3205 PMID: 7504776 DOI: 10.1016/0024-3205(94)00579-6Document Number: 284772
Gramicidin, cation channel forming ionophore with antibacterial properties, was studied in vitro for inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of MT-4 lymphocytes. Effective antiviral concentrations required for complete HIV inactivation were three orders of magnitude lower than 10 micrograms/ml cytotoxic dose. Gramicidin, routinely used as a contraceptive agent, should be considered for clinical application as a spermicide with antiviral activity.