Tangerine peel could help in the fight against certain cancers, researchers said on Wednesday. Human cancer cells, which contain an enzyme called P450 CYP1B1, were destroyed by a compound contained in tangerine peel, Salvestrol Q40, scientists at Leicester School of Pharmacy found.

The findings may offer a new approach to uncovering a treatment for cancers such as breast, lung, prostrate and ovarian cancer, the scientists said. Medicinal chemist Dr. Hoon L. Tan said: "It is very exciting to find a compound in food that can target cancers specifically. "Salvestrols may offer a new mechanism of dietary anti-cancer action.

蜜桔果皮可以防治多種癌癥。據悉，人類癌癥細胞中包含了一種被稱為P450 CYP1B1的酵素，這種成分可以被蜜桔果皮中所包含的化學物質Salvestrol Q40破壞掉。該項研究成果是由來自蘭凱斯特大學的藥學院發現并對外公布的。

這項研究成果將有助于科學家發現治療多種癌癥的方法，其中包括乳腺癌，肺癌以及卵巢癌等多種頑疾。藥物化學博士洪?L?譚表示：“這種食物中某種特別抑癌成分的發現是十分令人振奮的。癌癥細胞中Salvestrols的這種特性將為人類提供食療抑癌并治療癌癥的新方向。”據研究人員表示，該項研究仍處于早期階段并面臨多項深入研究與測試。在未來的5-7年內，有望實現臨床醫療使用。

(British Council)