Asian violet might be used for HIV drug therapies

Scientists hope that an Asian violet could have the potential properties to be used as part of drug therapies to treat the HIV virus.

A study has found that the violet, also known as Viola yedoensis, contains small proteins called cyclotides that appear to kill off infected cells.

Researchers from the University of Queensland presented their findings at COMBIO 2007, a meeting of biochemistry and molecular biology specialists in Sydney, Australia.

"The results were encouraging," said Professor David Craik from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, reports new.com.au.

"The actions of the cyclotides are yet not fully understood and the research is at a very early stage.

''[But] it may be that we can use the lessons of nature to create synthetic drug designs to help people with the virus,'' he added.

The violet has been used in the past to treat afflictions including burns, inflammation, carbuncles, boils, snakebite, and bronchitis.

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