Red algae may
inhibit HPV

Carrageenan, a red algae-derived chemical commonly used in sexual lubricants, has been found to inhibit human papillomavirus, the Chicago Tribune reports. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute say the compound was shown to stop the infectivity more effectively than any other HPV inhibitor they've studied by a margin greater than 1000-fold. It's possible the product could be used in a microbicide product to prevent infection with strains of HPV linked with cervical cancer and anal and genital warts, although researchers say their findings to date are limited to lab studies and not to human tests. HIV is not as susceptible to the effects of carrageenan, the researchers say. Additional lab and animal studies are planned. (The Advocate)