The
compound capsaicin, which gives the chilly its
burning sensation when tasted in the mouth, could one day be turned into a
therapeutic cancer remedy, a new study showed.
Back
in 2006, scientist found evidence that high doses of capsaicin
could kill prostate cancer cells in mice while leaving healthy cells unharmed,
but cancer-affected humans would have to eat vast amounts of
peppers
each week to get the dose needed.
A
much better option would be to turn the precious compound into a concentrated
drug, but, so far no one has understood exactly how it brings about cancer cell
death The process is scientifically termed apoptosis or cell death necessary to
make way for new cells and to remove cells whose DNA has been damaged to the
point at which cancerous change is liable to occur.
Now
scientists in India have shown for the first time how capsaicin binds to a
cancer cell and triggers changes within it. This of course is the first step
towards harnessing the compound’s effect in medication.
The researchers from
the Indian Institute of Technology Madras were able to detect how the compound
interacts with cell membranes by monitoring its natural fluorescence. They
found that the capsaicin binds to the surface of a cancer cell, and then lodges
itself into the cell’s membrane.
The
presence of the compound then begins to trigger chemical changes in the
membrane, and if you add enough of it, it actually causes the membranes to come
apart.
The
research team still does not quite understand the molecular pathway causing
this reaction, but further research could help to unlock ways to thoroughly
harness this healing effect in future cancer treatments.
At
this point, we are probably a very long way away from being able to use capsaicin
therapeutically, but the best part about the compound is that it does not seem
to affect healthy cells, and many humans already safely tolerate it.
The
next step will be to figure out what exactly is going on inside the cell
membrane, and also how this process happens inside the human body. Afterwards,
the next challenge will be to figure out the best way to trigger this effect
again.
The
original research, conducted back in 2006, also did not clearly show that capsaicin
could stop prostate cancer. Rather, it slowed the tumor growth of by about 80%,
which is good, but it also suggests that the compound will need to be combined
with another type of cancer-fighting molecule if it is used as a drug.
So,
it is really early to stock up habañera peppers just as yet. For sure, they
will set your mouth on fire while the other effects may not be felt.
However,
this is promising lead on a new compound that could help fight cancer, which is
something we very much need all over the world.