A new study out of the Philippines has revealed a potentially groundbreaking discovery in the marine life of the Philippine Sea. Scientists from the Philippine Institute of Marine Science and Technology have identified a species of sea cucumber that may have biomedical applications. This species, called the Holothuria scabra, has been found to contain a compound known as “echinoside A” which has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The potential implications of this discovery are far reaching, as this compound has the potential to be used as a basis for new treatments for a variety of diseases. The scientists are currently examining the properties of the echinoside A in order to determine if it can be used as a pharmaceutical agent. Excitingly, this could lead to the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer and inflammatory illnesses.

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source: Phys.org