Tangerine peel may be key to cancer treatment

TANGERINE peel could be the key to a new form of cancer treatment, according to research announced yesterday.

Experts suggest the fact that fewer people regularly eat fruit peels may also be a factor in the rise in the incidence of some cancers.

The findings may herald a new approach to uncovering a treatment for specific types of cancer.

Scientists from the Leicester School of Pharmacy found human cancer cells, which contain the enzyme P450 CYP1B1, were destroyed by a compound called Salvestrol Q40.

This substance is present in tangerine peel and can attack the cancer cells, which contain abnormally high levels of P450 CYP1B1.

The breakthrough was presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester.

While Salvestrol Q40 is in the peel, it is removed from the diet when the fruit is eaten without its peel or is processed for products such as fruit juice.

Medicinal chemist Dr Hoon L Tan said: “It is very exciting to find a compound in food that can target cancers specifically.

“However, it is still early days and many tests will be needed before reaching the clinical trial stage.”