200 years ago one of Earth's oldest plant chemicals was isolated but researchers now find ways to make new potential medicines with two poisonous flowers

Scientists have uncovered how two famously poisonous plants produce complex chemicals that could one day contribute to new medicines. Researchers recreated the chemical pathway in modified tobacco plants, using six enzymes to help produce a compound called atisinium. Although this discovery does not mean a new medicine is ready for patients, it offers an important foundation for future research. The unusual chemistry found in these plants may eventually help scientists investigate potential treatments for conditions including pain, malaria and cancer, demonstrating how dangerous natural substances can also inspire promising medical research.

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