Some Sunscreens Slow the Progression of MS in Mice

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Quite by accident, researchers have discovered that ingredients found in Coppertone and other sunscreens may be able to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The researchers were studying the known protective effect of UV light on the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice prone to the disease. In the course of these experiments they administered various sunscreens to mice without exposing them to UV light, as controls. Surprisingly, several of the sunscreens slowed the development of MS all on their own. Coppertone was particularly effective. Further tests revealed that two ingredients in particular, homosalate and octisalate, were responsible.

These findings sound like a real breakthrough, but realistically they just represent interesting observations that are worthy of being pursued. A lot more work will need to be done before we will know how these compounds exert their protective effect in mice, and whether they ultimately might be useful in treating MS in humans. The findings also highlight the importance of doing proper controls, because in this case the most interesting findings came from a group of animals receiving sunscreen alone, as controls for mice exposed to UV light and receiving sunscreen. No one expected sunscreen to have an effect on its own.

You can read the abstract of the research paper here. Unfortunately, you'll need access to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal in your library to read the entire text. Or you can read a news article about the paper in The Economist.