« HarryTho 10/12 Natalee Holloway Update And Commentary | Main | Change the Seal or be Sued into Oblivion »

October 12, 2005

Seaweed from Fiji Yields New Molecular Structures with Pharmaceutical Potential

Topics: Medicine

Researchers have discovered 10 new molecular structures with pharmaceutical potential in a species of red seaweed that lives in the shallow coral reef along the coastline of Fiji in the south Pacific Ocean. They appear to have interesting molecular structures regarding the way that the carbon atoms are attached, and represent an entirely new category of organic molecules.

Some of the natural compounds showed the potential to kill cancer cells, bacteria and the HIV virus, according to research at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Two of the compounds exhibit anti-bacterial activity towards antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations worthy of further study. Researchers have yet to determine if the concentrations of the compounds required to kill the bacterium would be harmful to humans.

Researchers report that the compound that was isolated in the greatest abundance - named bromophycolide A (by the researchers) - killed human tumor cells by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis), a mechanism that is promising for development of new anti-cancer drugs.

Related:
Previous work on seaweeds in Fiji

Posted by Richard at October 12, 2005 11:26 PM

Articles Related to Medicine:

• Monitor Your Moles For Signs Of Dangerous Skin Cancer - Apr 28, 2008
• Compound Found In Soybeans May Halt Spread Of Prostate Cancer - Apr 01, 2008
• Fewer Doses Of Radiation Still Effective In Beating Breast Cancer - Mar 19, 2008
• Severe Psychological Stress May Be Linked To Breast Cancer - Mar 10, 2008
• Scientists Say Anti-Cancer Smart Bomb Ready For Human Use - Mar 05, 2008
• New Research Confirms The Power Of Images In The Brain To Heal The Body - Jan 07, 2008
• Genentech's Avastin Shows Promise In Brain Cancer - Nov 18, 2007
• Synthetic Molecule Makes Cancer Cells Commit Suicide - Nov 14, 2007
• New Targeted Approach To Light-Activated Cancer Drugs With Tumor-Seeking Antibodies Shows Promise - Nov 10, 2007
• Study Suggests New Pill Is Better Than Traditional Chemotherapy - Oct 09, 2007

Comments

Posted by: stormy at October 13, 2005 12:42 AM

;