Pumpkin Protein Fights Infection

Protein extracted from pumpkin rind could help fight off yeast infections, a new study suggests.

The study focused on a number of germs, including Candida albicans (C. albicans), a type of fungus known to cause vaginal yeast infections. In lab experiments on cell cultures, scientists discovered that the pumpkin-rind protein Pr-2 hindered the growth of C. albicans without harming cells. The study’s authors suggest that Pr-2 could be used in a natural medicine for treating yeast infections in humans.

A condition estimated to occur in three out of four women over the course of their lifetime, vaginal yeast infection may be triggered by the use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, or steroids. Yeast infections also often affect women who are pregnant, diabetic, or in their post-menopausal [link: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/womenshealth/a/Menopause.htm] years. Natural remedies thought to relieve yeast infections include probiotics and tea tree oil.

Pumpkin Protein Fights Infection originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 06:00:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

source : altmedicine.about.com

Related News:

• Prion Protein In Cell Culture
• Immune protein fends off exotic virus
• Three Brain Diseases Linked By Toxic Form Of Same Neural Protein
• Protein in Urine Presages More Severe Problems (CME/CE)
• Identification Of Brain Protein For Synapse Development
• Study Offers Evidence That Spongiform Brain Diseases Are Caused By Aberrant Protein
• Chaperonins Prompt Proper Protein FoldingBut How?
• Unusual protein modification involved in muscular dystrophy, cancer
• Study Shows Key Protein Helps Control Blood Pressure
• New ‘Smart’ Nanocapsule Delivery System For Use In Protein Therapy

Details :
Submited at Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 7:00 am on Alternative Medicine by robert
Comment RSS 2.0 - leave a comment - trackback