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NEW LIGHT-ACTIVATED SUNCREAM WILL CUT SKIN CANCER |
| Author : TOM Date : 11/6/2013 7:42:32 PM |
Researchers from the University of Bath’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology have created an innovative ingredient which when applied in a suncream can act as a UVA filter and provide fuller protection against skin damage.
The new compounds are light activated when exposed to relevant doses of UVA, and unique in how they release anti-oxidants to neutralise free radicals whilst at the same time capturing excess iron in the skin. Dr Charareh Pourzand, Researcher in Pharmacy and Pharmacology said, “Antioxidants have already been used as a means to counteract the skin damage caused by UVA. However these agents are not effective, since the simultaneous release of iron in the cells continues to generate more harmful free radicals. The use of ‘naked’ iron chelators for skin protection is also not adequate, since such agents would starve the cells from the iron that is necessary. The molecules we have developed respond to sunlight and provide a safe solution to this problem. The potential medical impact of this project is significant as the caged-iron chelators could provide a highly effective means of protection against UVA- and UVB-induced skin damage and associated skin cancer.”
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