Frog skin could treat cancer, scientists find

Scientists have discovered that proteins in frog skins have the potential to treat cancer, diabetes, stroke and transplant patients.

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast, led by Professor Chris Shaw at Queen's School of Pharmacy, have found that the skin of the amphibians could be used to treat certain patients by regulating the growth of blood vessels.

Professor Shaw explained that because of the ability to switch on or off blood vessel growth proteins, the Waxy Monkey Frog and Giant Firebellied Toad have the potential to kill cancer tumours as well as treat a range illness that require rapid blood vessel repair.

The proteins are extracted from the secretions from the skin of these amphibians, which are unharmed in the process and then released back to the wild.

"It would be a great shame to have something in nature that is potentially the wonder drug to treat cancer and not aim to do everything in our power to make it work," said Professor Shaw.

He added that he felt the natural world holds the key to many problems where drug discovery has failed.