Being Alive/Los Angeles; Being Alive Newsletter - November 1993 presented by Mark Katz, MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Conocurvone is a chemical found in smokebush, a plant that grows only in Western Australia. The Journal of the American Chemical Society reports that this chemical was found to prevent HIV from infecting cells in the test tube. And, what is most interesting, conocurvone was able to do this at very low concentrations. The hope is that very little chemical may be highly efficacious. Thus, any toxicities associated with its use would be minimalized. Scientists still do not understand how this chemical works and no human studies are currently planned.
Cosalane is the name of another new drug. Reports indicate that this drug is effective against all strains of HIV in the test tube. Cosalane works by inhibiting the binding of the virus to the T-cell, and thus is active at a point different from that of AZT/ddC/ddI. No further information on this drug is available yet.
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AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane Laboratories, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1993. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.