The team, led by Professor Charles Gauthier, focused on modifying naturally occurring triterpenes — specifically betulinic acid from birch bark and echinocystic acid — by attaching a sugar molecule called Lewis X. This has resulted in newly synthesized saponins. These modified compounds exhibit significantly enhanced water solubility compared to their original forms, addressing a longstanding limitation in the medical applications of such molecules. Laboratory studies indicate these saponins effectively block HIV’s ability to hijack immune cell receptors (DC-SIGN and L-SIGN) that facilitate viral spread, and so, they act as potent inhibitors even at minimal concentrations.
Importantly, initial assessments suggest these plant-based molecules are non-toxic to human cells and animal models.
Image Credit: Institut national de la recherche scientifique
