- The Philippine sea cucumber contains some scientifically interesting molecules
- Evidence suggests that these molecules kill liver cancer cells
- Read more: Sea cucumber toner left users' skin 'looking its best ever'
This clumpy sea cucumber may look like human feces, but it may hold the key to fighting cancer.
Scientists at the University of the Philippines have discovered that a certain species contains compounds in its body that have been shown to kill human liver cancer cells in the laboratory.
These chemicals may also trigger the growth of neurites, small protrusions of nerve cells that help people recover from brain and spinal cord injuries.
Before these compounds can be turned into treatments for humans, scientists will need to extract them from sea cucumbers and test them on a series of subjects: cells in a dish, laboratory animals, and extracted human cancer tissue.
Philippine sea cucumber Stichopus cf. Horniness may look like feces, but it may contain some valuable chemical properties
S. horrens contains chemicals that have cancer-fighting properties
Stycopos cf. Horrens is one of more than 1,700 species of sea cucumbers. Scientists are just beginning to delve into animal potential for human health
In the new study, researchers at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, ground up samples of the sea cucumber's body walls and viscera (digestive tract) and analyzed them.
They have no limbs, no heads or faces, and it can be difficult to distinguish between their mouths and anuses at a single glance.
Sea cucumbers also defecate their intestines at will as a defense mechanism against predators. Scientists have found that they can suck water into their anus to float around in the ocean.
Researchers have discovered a whole host of molecules that can be used in biomedical research.
Of particular note is a group of fat molecules – or lipids – called cerebrosides, which are found in the body wall and viscera.
Those they identified could also be the building blocks of sphingolipid, another type of fat, the researchers wrote.
Some sea cucumbers, like this one seized by authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border, are smuggled in and sold for their culinary uses and supposed health properties.
Sphingolipids found in other sea cucumber species have been shown to contain this substance Some anti-cancer benefits They added that it can kill human liver cancer cells in a dish, and can make neurons grow new projections in laboratory tests.
Sea cucumbers have long been consumed in East and Southeast Asia, both for their culinary qualities and their supposed health benefits.
But there are more than 1,700 known species of sea cucumbers, and a few studies have looked at them one by one to find out what might make these animals good for you.
More research is needed to find out whether these chemicals are able to kill cancer cells or encourage the growth of nerve cells in humans.
The results appeared Wednesday in the journal One plus.
Other sea cucumber body wall components have already been considered valuable components of consumer products.
Some skin care products are made with sea cucumber extracts due to the high concentration of collagen found in animals
The body walls of sea cucumbers specifically have been the subject of much research in the field of human skin care.
The fibers of the sea cucumber's body wall are composed of so-called “hunting” collagen, and can contract or relax at will, allowing the animal to squeeze into small spaces or harden to protect itself.
This quality has made sea cucumber a popular source of collagen and other ingredients for skin care products.
(Tags for translation) Daily Mail