Tangerine Peel Extract Kills Cancer Cells

Filed in archive Cancer , Functional Foods , Studies on September 25, 2007

Salvestrol Q40 is the compound found in abundance from tangerine fruit peels.




A team from the Leicester School of Pharmacy identified Salvestrol Q40 to be able to destroy cancer cells.

Salvestrol Q40 is found in the skin of fruits but is removed from the diet when fruit is eaten without its peel or is processed for fruit-based products such as fruit juice.

There are higher concentrations of salvestrol Q40 in the peel than in the flesh of the fruit.

Salvestrol is a type of phytoalexin a chemical produced by plants to repel attackers, such as insects or fungi.

The researchers showed that human cancer cells, which contain an enzyme called P450 CYP1B1, were destroyed by this compound.

The scientists who did the research work have formed a company they called Nature's Defence Investments, which will protect and promote their research and will potentially design a natural anti-cancer alternative based on this new technology.

May this be an example to other researchers who allow their work to be "exploited" by big pharma giants. If only all university researchers are paid enough to form their own company that will promote their research findings such as the above.

Find more details from NutraIngredients.