A molecule is identified by scientists which after exposure to ultraviolet rays causes soreness. This discovery can lead new treatments regarding inflammatory conditions such as cystitis and arthritis.

From King’s College London, researchers identified a molecule known as CXCL5 in the body, this molecule after exposure to hazardous ultraviolet rays cause soreness. The researchers said that the findings for the first not only explained, why sun burnt skin is tender, it also made a new ways for therapies which can target pain causing molecules as to reduce the pain.

For this study, the researchers involved some healthy people and exposed their small area of skin to UVB radiation as to create sunburn patches. The injured skin sample consists of high level of CXCL5, which sends the inflammatory immune cells to damaged tissue.

Further the test was done on rats which showed that antibody suppressing the molecule has an ability to reduce the pain caused due to ultraviolet radiation. According to Professor Steve McMahon the study author, it is not a study only about sunburn but they are hopping that they have achieved a potential target which is beneficial in understanding regarding pain in any inflammatory condition such as cystitis and arthritis.

He also added “I’m excited about where these findings could take us in terms of eventually developing a new type of analgesic for people who suffer from chronic pain.”