A topical preparation from black raspberry extract has been shown to significantly slows the growth of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin in mice exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.

Many studies have demonstrated a link between inflammation and cancer. Normally, inflammation - the reddened area from a sunburn, for example - is tightly managed by a complex network of repair and growth factor mechanisms. VanBuskirk and others say that when these signals are mistakenly left on or shut off, perhaps as a result of DNA damage or oxidative stress, cancer can take root and grow.

[The authors say] an extract of black raspberries (freeze-dried, ground up and suspended in KY jelly in their experiment) may be a good countermeasure because they contain anthacyanins, powerful antioxidants that give the fruit its rich, dark color. "In our experiments, the black raspberry treatment significantly reduced inflammatory damage and reduced tumor growth and spread."

If further studies confirm these findings, the researchers say that such a topical gel may also be formulated for the treatment of sunburns, both to ease pain, as well as reduce the sun's damage to the skin. More details of the study from the OSU College of Medicine.