Hot Peppers Anesthetize And Destroy Tumor Cells
Author: Nia Rouseberg
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Capsaicin acts on the mitochondria of tumor cells, causing their cell death and slowing the growth of cancers ...
Capsaicin contained in spicy foods can kill cancer cells. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Nottingham, who studied the mechanism by which spicy foods affect tumor cells.
Capsaicin is the active substance in hot pepper, which provokes irritation of the receptors in the oral cavity and causes the sensation of hot.
Scientists believe that the healing properties of the substance are due to the fact that it acts on the mitochondria of tumor cells, thus causing their cell death and slowing or even stopping the growth of cancer.
Laboratory studies have shown that capsaicin binds to proteins in the mitochondria of tumor cells and causes apoptosis (cell death).
Because the biochemical processes that take place in the mitochondria of tumor cells differ from those that occur in healthy somatic cells, capsaicin induces apoptosis in cancer cells only. At the same time, the substance does not affect the development of healthy cells.
Experts call this a natural selective vulnerability of tumor cells. To prove the hypothesis, experimental tests were performed with cellular samples for pancreatic and lung cancer.
According to the study's author, Dr. Timothy Bates explains, capsaicin attacks the nucleus of tumor cells and slows their growth. He reassures that the dose of capsaicin that causes apoptosis of cancer cells is completely safe for healthy people and does not affect their life cycle. Proof of the safety of capsaicin is the fact that it is found in many plants that are used for food by both humans and herbivores.
Scientists explain that consuming large amounts of hot peppers and spicy foods does not mean cancer prevention. Although hot pepper extract induces apoptosis of cancer cells in the laboratory, its effectiveness in humans has not yet been proven.
Research in this area is expected to continue. It is possible in the future to develop drugs to combat cancer, which are synthesized on the basis of capsaicin.
In addition to fighting tumor cells, capsaicin gives remarkable results as a local anesthetic. Researchers at Harvard University came to this conclusion after combining an inactive derivative of a local anesthetic called QX314 with an extract isolated from hot peppers. Studies show that capaiscin acts on the nerve fibers that conduct the sensation of pain.
Thus, QX314 is allowed only in these neurons and suppresses their activity, explains Clifford Wolfe. In general, QX314 blocks all neurons - not only those for pain, but also those for touch, which causes tingling in the area. The motor activity of muscles innervated by closely spaced neurons is also affected to some extent. To avoid this, scientists have inactivated QX314 and have found a convenient way to bring it into this state only in some neurons.