60秒科学:Cleopatra's Eyeliner: Peeper Health Keeper

（单词翻译）

Cleopatra's Eyeliner: Peeper Health Keeper
A study in the journal Analytical¹ Chemistry finds that the black eyeliner worn by ancient Egyptians may have had properties that helped ward² off eye-damaging bacterial³ infections. Cynthia Graber reports

When you picture ancient Egyptian beauties such as Queen Nefertiti or Cleopatra, they’re probably wearing dramatic black eyeliner. Ancient Egyptians believed that eye makeup⁴ had properties bestowed⁵ by the gods protected the wearers from illness. Modern scientists determined⁶ that the makeup contains often-harmful lead, so they discounted any beneficial effects. But according to research published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, the eye makeup may indeed have prevented disease.

Scientists analyzed⁷ 52 different samples from ancient Egyptian makeup found at the Louvre. They identified four different lead-based substances, two of which were man-made, not natural. They then applied⁸ the substances to a culture of human cells. And the cells experienced a 240 percent increase in the production of nitric oxide⁹, which is known to jump start the immune system.

The ancient marshy¹⁰ Nile would have hosted many eye disease–causing bacteria. Application of the makeup may have revved¹¹ up cells’ immunity¹² and protected against infection. The chemical compounds were no doubt used initially¹³ based on appearance. But then wearers noticed they weren’t getting eye infections. The gods got praised, but it was ancient chemists who deserved the credit.