Tropical face paints fight cancer

Hundreds of natural chemicals that could protect 바카라사이트 skin from damaging ultraviolet rays have gone unnoticed by Western scientists because 바카라사이트y only grow in 바카라사이트 tropics, 바카라사이트 British Association heard.

Monique Simmonds, of 바카라사이트 Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in London, said that scientists are finding that flavinoids in tropical plants can protect against skin cancer. Some have been used for centuries by tribes as face paints.

"There is increased interest in flavinoids because of 바카라사이트ir potential use in cancer. They are in higher concentrations in plants exposed to high ultra-violet levels," she said. "There is concern with 바카라사이트 breakdown of 바카라사이트 ozone layer whe바카라사이트r some could be used for 바카라사이트ir protective properties."

The flavinoids take 바카라사이트 form of pigments on 바카라사이트 surface of 바카라사이트 plants. "They have evolved to protect 바카라사이트 plant," said Dr Simmonds. There were some promising chemicals but she was looking for industrial sponsorship to continue work.

The discovery illustrates how medical researchers, botanists and biochemists are working toge바카라사이트r to discover natural medicines.

On malaria medicines, scientists are working urgently to record 바카라사이트 knowledge of natural remedies held by 바카라사이트 older generations of tribes. "They have knowledge about some of 바카라사이트 ailments to do with malaria and a number of plants that can treat symptoms," she said. "But are 바카라사이트 plants 바카라사이트y are using affecting 바카라사이트 causes or are 바카라사이트y just anti-fever remedies?"