Brief History of BEC5

Australian farmers long observed that applying a poultice made from the fruit of the Devil’s Apple plant (Solanum linnaeanum) helped slow the progression of eye cancer in Hereford cattle. This discovery caught the attention of Dr. Bill E. Cham, who set out to identify the plant’s active compounds. In 1987, his research revealed that solasodine glycosides were responsible for these effects.

Since Devil’s Apple belongs to the same plant family as eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes, Dr. Cham explored whether eggplant contained the same beneficial compounds. His findings confirmed that eggplant also carried these active glycoalkaloids, leading to the development and patenting of a purified extract known as BEC.

After 27 years of research and clinical trials, Dr. Cham formulated Curaderm BEC5, a topical cream designed to effectively treat non-melanoma skin cancers.