Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 1

Glyceryl monolaurate (GML), also known as monolaurin, is a monoglyceride derived from lauric acid and is found in coconut oil and breast milk. Its use for supporting or treating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections is primarily based on its demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity. Several laboratory studies have shown that GML can disrupt the lipid envelope of certain viruses, including HSV-1 and HSV-2, leading to the inactivation of viral particles (Isaacs et al., 1998). These studies suggest a potential mechanism by which GML might help reduce viral infectivity.

However, despite these promising laboratory findings, there is a lack of robust clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of GML in treating or preventing herpes infections in humans. No large-scale, well-controlled human trials have been published to confirm its efficacy or safety for this indication. As such, the current evidence is limited to preclinical research, and its use in clinical practice for herpes remains experimental. Therefore, while there is a scientific rationale and some laboratory validation, the overall strength of evidence is low, warranting a rating of 1 out of 5.

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