Sunscreen pills from coral reefs?

Scientists have discovered a natural compound that protects coral reefs from sunlight, opening the door to sunscreen pills and UV-resistant crops.

Wed, Aug 31 2011 at 3:22 PM EST

REEF RELIEF: Coral reefs like this one may hold the secret to green sunscreen. (Photo: ZUMA Press)

Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, but it's still a bummer to put on. What if, instead of lathering yourself in greasy lotions, you could just take a sunscreen pill?

According to research by scientists at King's College of London, that might soon be an option. They've discovered a natural compound in coral reefs that protects against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, and they're now "very close" to synthesizing it in a lab. Once they do that, it could lead to an oral sunscreen pill for human use — possibly within five years.

It may also offer other benefits, the researchers add, such as genetically modified crops that can thrive in the tropics despite exposure to harsh UV rays.

So why do corals, of all animals, make sunscreen? It's an adaptation to their strange lifestyle: Corals are symbiotic, absorbing photosynthetic algae into their bodies so they can be fed from within. The algae, in turn, are safe from predators and use the corals' waste for photosynthesis. This partnership has created huge coral reefs around the world, but it also has a major flaw: Since the reefs need sunlight to make food, most live in shallow water near the ocean's surface. And that exposes them to UV rays.

UV rays are especially intense in the tropics, where many coral reefs are known to protect themselves by making their own sunscreen. But until now, scientists never knew how they did it — or how we could mimic them. According to researcher Paul Long, who led the King's College study, the key is cooperation.

"What we have found is that the algae living within the coral makes a compound that we think is transported to the coral, which then modifies it into a sunscreen for the benefit of both the coral and the algae," Long says in a statement. "Not only does this protect them both from UV damage, but we have seen that fish that feed on the coral also benefit from this sunscreen protection, so it is clearly passed up the food chain. This led us to believe that if we can determine how this compound is created and passed on, we could biosynthetically develop it in the laboratory to create a sunscreen for human use, perhaps in the form of a tablet, which would work in a similar way."

The idea of sunscreen pills isn't new — they're already sold over the counter, under brand names like Heliocare, Fernblock and Sunpill. Many are even based on natural compounds, such as the antioxidants Polypodium leucotomos or astaxanthin. But while some studies have found them to be at least mildly effective, a few of those studies have also been criticized for small sample sizes and other poor research methods. Sold as dietary supplements, the current pills aren't regulated by the FDA, and their labels warn they should only be used with sunscreen, not instead of it.

Corals can't buy Coppertone, though, so they must rely entirely on their DIY sunscreen. And now researchers at King's College are hoping humans can, too — and soon. Long says that "if all goes well, we would expect to test it within the next two years." And speaking to the Guardian, he even offers an estimate on when it might hit the market. "There would have to be a lot of toxicology tests done first," he says, "but I imagine a sunscreen tablet might be developed in five years or so."

Such a tablet may have to be prescription-only, the Guardian points out, to limit the chances of people overdosing. Skin needs some sunlight, and too much protection could lead to vitamin D deficiency and weak bones. Still, Long argues the potential benefits outweigh the risks. "Nothing like it exists at the moment," he says.

On top of sunscreen pills, Long hopes the coral compound can also boost sustainable agriculture in the tropics. "If we do this in crop plants that have been bred in temperate climates for high yield, but that at present would not grow in the tropics because of high exposure to sunlight, this could be a way of providing a sustainable nutrient-rich food source, particularly in need for Third World economies," he says.

And while this research hints at huge benefits for humans, it may also be good for coral reefs themselves. While studying in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Long and his colleagues have been studying the process of coral bleaching, considered a growing threat due to rising ocean temperatures from global warming. By examining corals' genetic and biochemical changes as they're exposed to sunlight in warmer water, the researchers hope to better understand how bleaching works and how to fight it.

Watch the video below to hear Long explain the research himself:

Via Guardian, King's College of London

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nmb 09/29/2011 10:21 AM

They are talking about making a synthetic version because of the threatended species. The real concern are the side effects of the drug.

Auds 09/06/2011 20:52 PM

Sunscreen is a bunch of crap... the stuff they put in it is poison and even worse when exposed to sun. You're better off covering your skin up when you're outside in the sun or just letting it be exposed & soaking up your vitamin D!!

Caveman 09/06/2011 11:57 AM

Basically, this thing prevents that range of the Electromagnetic spectrum to damage our cells. Now, we just have to improve on that and we may even be able to resist higher energies giving us humans better resistance to radiation in space. Keep up the good work guys.

Charles T. 09/05/2011 19:31 PM

This sounds like a very interesting discovery that could benefit the world in some interesting ways. The only concern I would have is scientist genetically modifying the food people consume even more so than they already do.

Jean 09/05/2011 17:12 PM

there go all our coral reefs...

Lee 09/05/2011 13:25 PM

Would we become a bit crusty or would we just branch out?

Jenn 09/05/2011 00:42 AM

As someone with a sun allergy, I am SO excited to be reading about this! :)

Naria 09/04/2011 21:35 PM

Are they sure that they didn't just discover someone's sunscreen on the coral reefs? lol

Actually, sunscreen coming off of swimmers does attach to coral reefs and they suspect it's one of the things killing the coral.

Anonymous 09/05/2011 18:55 PM

If the coral had divulged the secret sooner, they would be in better shape today.

G-d is a genius. 09/04/2011 19:32 PM

Evolution is the powerful creationary voice of G-d. Evolution - priceless and intelligentless.

Stinkle 09/03/2011 23:40 PM

Hope. I put hope in there.

getmymail 09/03/2011 20:57 PM

At the rate the reefs are deteriorating they'd better hurry

cpc65 09/03/2011 20:48 PM

Owwww. My barnacles are itchy.

Richard 09/03/2011 13:53 PM

As the article and other comments mention, astaxthan provides awesome sun protection. I live in Hawaii and take it every day. When I go surfing for a couple hours in the tropical sun and forget to take it, my white (very fair) skin gets burned. With astaxanthan, no burn if I stay out up to 2 hours, longer and I may get mild redness. But remember, I am pale white , and 2 hours in the tropical sun on the water would normally fry me purple. Taking 5 mg is probably equal to spf 15. It is a great.... More

Richard 09/03/2011 19:30 PM

Your right Daws, I do sound like a shill. The stuff works though. It's also very good for tendon inflammation. I lift weights and used to always have tendon pain in my shoulders, not anymore. I just LOVE astaxanthan. Can you tell? And I'm not even getting paid.

Dan 09/04/2011 13:22 PM

I live in Ohio and take astaxanthan for inflammation and it's antioxidant properties. I'm also about as pale white as a Lowes paint sample. The sun screen properties of this really are true. I don't burn as long as I'm taking astaxanthan. Sure it's not the reason I take it, but it's a nice side benefit.

Daws 09/03/2011 18:49 PM

*cough cough* A-shill! A...a-shill! Sorry but you sound like a total commericial...

charles s 09/03/2011 13:32 PM

Since most people in northern climates are vitamin d deficient and need more sunlight not less, this will probably have limited use. Otherwise more people will develop rickets. Unfortunately most people have listened to the experts and keep their children from getting enough sunshine to make vitamin d. I know a woman who has the classic symptoms of rickets and her legs are permanently bent. This woman can hardly walk.

Most people born in the tropics seem to have almost no problem.... More

John 09/03/2011 11:08 AM

So because of a hunch that a scientist had they are now going to mine all of the coral reefs out destroying one of the most beautiful and natural things we have left on this earth. Then they will realize they were wrong and o ****, now there are no more reefs.

Jason L. 09/04/2011 20:24 PM

Let me guess, you have problems with reading comprehension? Not only are they attempting to synthesize the compound in a lab, and getting very close, but the same scientists are working on ways to combat coral reef bleaching - in other words they are trying to prevent future loss of coral, not destroy it. Idi0t.

Anonymous 09/03/2011 13:22 PM

"They're now "very close" to synthesizing it in a lab."

~~~~~~~~

Read the gawd-damn article!

ibrad 09/03/2011 09:55 AM

Yes,Of course it`s safe. You can even give it to babies!
Fastforward 10-20 years(like almost all things) Yes, we are very sorry. We didn`t know it was going to do THAT!

Daws 09/03/2011 18:57 PM

On the contrary, sounds like one of the big delays is going to be safety testing. That this is going towards being a perscription means it's going to have to be subjected to lots of testing and safety standards, consider this vs. the "supplements" that are already out there and don't even have FDA approval and don't even bother because they can abuse some vitamin-herbal friendly loopholes.

Time Bandit 09/03/2011 07:59 AM

Ok, so now that they are able to go and collect coral...every one else in the scientific field will go and collect coral...what's left? Coral in certain parts of the world is dying, it's bad enough we have those countries eating everything and anything in the ocean...Fried Starfish, Fried Sea Horses, Sharks Tail, killing Whales claiming it's for scientific research.

Daws 09/03/2011 19:09 PM

They already have the coral, now they're trying to synthesize what they do naturally. And most likely they're simply transplanting it and keeping it alive for study. Besides, worst case senario a couple dozen samples taken by scientists isn't going to make a difference vs. the cars you drive causing massive die off. You'll probably save more by turning your computer off. This could even have an upside: Seeing the coral as valuable in yet another way to us might give us incentive to preserve.... More

rerat 09/03/2011 00:45 AM

Not sure why this is a big deal, Glisodin does the same thing, I take it daily for other reasons, but one of it's other effects is you don't burn in the sun. Check it out, it really does work.

Spenser A 09/02/2011 15:33 PM

I had melanoma and can't step outside without sunscreen. I think a pill would be great for people like me with a medical need. Or people with occupations that put them in the sun all day. But I can picture sun worshipers misusing them to bake themselves all day every day, so doctors will need to prescribe with care. I'm also wondering whether this will be something that we can take just when we need it--I'm going to the beach today so I better take a pill--of if ti will have to be taken.... More

Jason L. 09/04/2011 20:27 PM

Sounds as if it will be something that only works for a few hours, so probably no need to take it everyday, just as needed. But, for a lot of people that might want to use it a couple of times a year when they are going to a beach or whatnot, a prescription will be of little use to them. Hard to do if it costs a ton, and requires getting a doctor's appointment in advance of going to the beach.

Sunseeker 09/02/2011 15:16 PM

They said they are synthesizing it in the lab. They aren't going to harvest the coral reefs.

Chris 09/02/2011 14:42 PM

So...this is beneficial to coral reefs because now scientists will be able to study how to combat bleaching? They'd still be destroying reefs to harvest these pills...any attempt to say this is good for coral reefs is rediculous. Reefs are the rainforests of the ocean - I think it's something like 90% of all marine species depend on coral reefs as habitat. Taking that away isn't entirely a good idea...

CheckItOut 09/02/2011 15:24 PM

Dude: Go back and read the article. Synthesize is not a synonym for harvest.

Shaun 09/02/2011 13:39 PM

I fear this could result in the Zombie Apocalypse or worse, vampires that can live in the daylight. Imagine, a day time vampire zombie war with humans nothing but collateral damage. Scary!

Anonymous 09/02/2011 18:27 PM

you've been watching too much tv LOL

RockyMissouri 09/02/2011 11:18 AM

Leave the coral alone! We have damaged enough.. And forget genetically modified crops...HEIRLOOM SEEDS/PLANTS are the only way! Monsanto and their frankenseeds have done enough damage.

AgentJ 09/02/2011 16:17 PM

Nobody's damaging it. Moreover, the research could help save more of it. Please pay attention to the article before going off half-cocked.

gn 09/02/2011 11:25 AM

lol - Not particularly clued in are you.

sosofresh 09/02/2011 13:35 PM

speak like Yoda, you do.

Adam 09/02/2011 11:15 AM

Astaxanthin (or BioAstin) is a powerful antioxidant, in pill-form, that already helps protect from sun damage. So I'm sure we'll be seeing more options for pill-based sun protection.

I have been taking a Astaxanthin/BioAstin product and have had amazing results.