Aug 18, 20161 min
Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) has discovered an ingredient for cosmetics derived from an antibiotic substance found in scolopendra subspinipes, a large centipede species. According to the RDA, the extracted antibiotic, scolopendrasin I, is an antimicrobial peptide excreted by centipedes to fight germs. The substance was proven effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and against bacteria with increased tolerance to existing antibiotics.
These centipedes, known as "scolopendra subspinipes", have long been known for their antibacterial efficiency and ability to improve blood circulation, and have been used in Korean traditional medicine for strokes and arthritis.
The research has shown that the substance has proven effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and against bacteria which are showing increased tolerance to existing antibiotics.
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"Scientific breakthrough leads to skin care line made from centipede poop"
By Simon Pitman+, 18-Aug-2016