The Japanese found a more effective remedy for swine influenza than Tamiflu

A team led by Tadaaki Miyazaki of Epidemiology Research Center at Hokkaido University believes that a combination of polysaccharide-Glucan and lactic acid bacteria may be equally or even more effective than Tamiflu in treating influenza and preventing its complications.

During experiments with mice, scientists infected them with group A virus, close to a new type of virus, with dosage that usually kills a third of the mice. A compound of Glucan and lactic acid bacteria saved 100% of mice. Moreover, this result was recorded in mice that took the drug two weeks prior to infection, and also a few days after. When using Tamiflu, the same result was achieved only in case of using drugs immediately after infection.

At the second stage of experiments, mice received a lethal dose of virus. Three-quarters - 75% of mice that received the combination survived. Tamiflu treatment saved only half of the mice.

Scientists believe the new compound can be used prophylactically as a food additive, and in the long term - as a drug.