06/16/2026
According to a study published in the journal Cancer, researchers from the University of Seville in Spain investigated an extract obtained from eggplant (aubergine) peels and its effects on melanoma cells in laboratory settings. The findings showed that the peel extract was able to reduce the viability of melanoma cancer cells under controlled experimental conditions.
In the same study, the researchers observed that the extract demonstrated stronger activity in these lab tests compared to several conventional chemotherapy drugs that were also included for comparison, such as hydroxyurea, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and etoposide. These results were based strictly on cell-based experiments and do not represent clinical outcomes in humans.
The scientists suggested that natural plant compounds present in eggplant skin, particularly delphinidin—a type of anthocyanin pigment—may have contributed to the observed effects. However, they also emphasized that the exact active compounds responsible for the activity had not been fully identified.
Overall, the researchers noted that while the laboratory results were interesting, further detailed studies, including animal and human trials, are necessary before any conclusions can be made about medical use or effectiveness in cancer treatment.