A common antibacterial and antifungal ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste also can also guard against skin cancer.The surprise finding was presented Oct. 19 at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Seattle.Sanguinarine, an alkaloid present in the bloodroot plant, has been shown to enhance production of proteins that induce the death of cells damaged by ultraviolet-B radiation.The substance also restricts skin cell production of proteins that promote the proliferation of cancer cells.
