BANGKOK, Oct 20 – As rubber growers complain about declining prices of rubber latex and have asked the government to provide a financial subsidy, an academic at Prince of Songkla University is researching the use of latex in fighting against cancer.
Dr Rapepun Wititsuwannakul of the Faculty of Science has conducted study on rubber for more than two decades and has found that natural latex contains several qualities advantageous to human health and well-being, such as slowing aging, boosting health and helping to prevent cancer.
Tests have been conducted on animals and the outcome is satisfactory, she said, adding that tests are now being conducted on human volunteers.
She has asked for government assistance in marketing to assist rubber growers long-term such as in latex-based cosmetic products derived from her research to international markets.
Meanwhile, Dr Nares Damrongchai, CEO of Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said TCELS has provided funds to Dr Rapepun since 2006 for research until it is found that compound from rubber latex could help in body whitening and also could help in reducing hair loss.
Dr Nares said TCELS recently signed an agreement with Prince of Songkla University to undertake further research on producing other cosmetic products for commercial purposes abroad.
