HIV & Herpes
Capric acid is another medium chain fatty acid, which has a similar beneficial function when it is formed into monocaprin in the human or animal body. Monocaprin (1-monoglyceride of capric acid) has been shown to be effective against enveloped viruses such as Herpes Simplex virus HSV in vitro.
As it is known that HSV can develop resistance to acyclovir which is the most common treatment used, it was considered to be of interest to formulate a cream containing the lipid monocaprin as the active substance against HSV. (The Ultimate Skin Defense has been to formulate this to also include therapeutic grade plant essential oils.)
Since monocaprin has been shown to have antiviral effects against HIV, it is being tested for antiviral effects against herpes simplex and antibacterial effects against chlamydia and other sexually transmitted bacteria. (Reuters, London June 29, 1999).
The medium-chain saturated fatty acids and their derivatives act by disrupting the lipid membranes of the viruses (Isaacs and Thormar 1991; Isaacs 1992). Research has shown that enveloped viruses are inactivated in both human and bovine milk by added fatty acids and monoglycerides (Isaacs et al 1991), and also by endogenous fatty acids and monoglycerides of the appropriate length (Isaacs et al 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992; Thormar et al 1987).
Some of the viruses inactivated by these lipids, in addition to HIV, are the:
Measles virus,
Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1),
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV),
Visna virus, and
Lyme Disease,
Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Many of the pathogenic organisms reported to be inactivated by these antimicrobial lipids are those known to be responsible for infections in HIV-positive individuals (and serious complications for HIV+ individuals, Macallan et al 1993).
MRSA & Candida, etc.
MonoCaprin, the 1-monoglyceride of capric acid, also has antimicrobial activity against enveloped viruses, certain bacteria, and the yeast Candida albicans. Solutions containing monocaprin were formulated and tested in vitro against a number of micro-organisms, including species found in the oral cavity and common pathogenic species. The antimicrobial activity of monocaprin was tested with strains growing on a surface as well as in the planktonic phase.
Micro-organisms tested were:
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus mutans
Candida albicans
Lactobacillus sp.
Echerichia coli , and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Two sets of dilutions were prepared for each test strain. Control solutions were also prepared to find out if any of the excipients were affecting the microbicidal effect of monocaprin. Albicans was the micro-organism that was most sensitive to monocaprin, but S. mutans also showed appreciable sensitivity.
The indication that monocaprin may have potential as a topical agent against Candida was also tested in an open study of denture disinfection in 32 patients attending a geriatric daycare centre. A significant, but short-term, reduction in counts of Candida on the fitting surface of full dentures was observed.
Authors: Ósk Thorgeirsdóttir, Thórunn; Kristmundsdóttir, Thórdís; Thormar, Halldór; Axelsdóttir, Íris; Peter Holbrook.
Source: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, Volume 64, Number 1,
Number 1/February 2006 , pp. 21-26(6)
Publisher: Informa Healthcare
Objective: To determine whether the single nucleodtide polymorphisms of the fatty acid amid hydrolase and monoglyceride lipase genes are associated with alcoholism in a Japanese population.
Methods: We conducted case-control studies for total 14 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms in those two genes using 729 Japanese patients with alcoholism and 799 healthy controls. Emulsions of monocaprin killed a variety of Campylobacter isolates from humans and poultry and also killed strains of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari, indicating a broad anticampylobacter activity. Emulsions of 1.25 mM monocaprin in citrate-lactate buffer at pH 4 to 5 caused a >6- to 7-logb10s reduction in viable bacterial counts of Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli in 10 min. C jejuni was also more susceptible to monocaprin emulsions at low pH The addition of 5 and 10 mM monocaprin emulsions to Campylobacter-spiked chicken feed significantly reduced the bacterial contamination.
Various monocaprin-in-water emulsions were prepared which were stable after storage at room temperature for many months and which retained their microbicidal activity. The concentrates were clear and remained stable for at least 12 months. They were active against C jejuni upon 160- to 200-fold dilution in tap water and caused a > 6- to 7-log reduction in viable bacterial count in 1 min at room temperature. The addition of 0.8% Tween 40 to the concentrates as an emulsifying agent did not change the microbicidal activity. Emulsions of monocaprin killed a variety of Campylobacter isolates from humans and poultry and also killed strains of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari, indicating a broad anticampylobacter activity.
Emulsions of 1.25 mM monocaprin in citrate-lactate buffer at pH 4 to 5 caused a > 6- to 7-log reduction in viable bacterial counts of Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli in 10 min. C jejuni was also more susceptible to monocaprin emulsions at low pH The addition of 5 and 10 mM monocaprin emulsions to Campylobacter-spiked chicken feed significantly reduced the bacterial contamination. Various monocaprin-in-water emulsions were prepared which were stable after storage at room temperature for many months and which retained their microbicidal activity. A procedure was developed to manufacture up to 500 ml of 200 mM preconcentrated emulsions of monocaprin in tap water. The concentrates were clear and remained stable for at least 12 months.
They were active against C jejuni upon 160- to 200-fold dilution in tap water and caused a >6- to 7-log< sub>10 reduction in viable bacterial count in 1 min at room temperature.
The addition of 0.8% Tween 40 to the concentrates as an emulsifying agent did not change the microbicidal activity. Emulsions of monocaprin killed a variety of Campylobacter isolates from humans and poultry and also killed strains of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari, indicating a broad anticampylobacter activity. Emulsions of 1.25 mM monocaprin in citrate-lactate buffer at pH 4 to 5 caused a >6- to 7-log< sub>10 reduction in viable bacterial counts of Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli in 10 min.
C jejuni was also more susceptible to monocaprin emulsions at low pH The addition of 5 and 10 mM monocaprin emulsions to Campylobacter-spiked chicken feed significantly reduced the bacterial contamination.