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March 16, 2006
Heat In Chili Kills Prostate And Other Cancer Cells
Topics: Health Issues
According to a new study reported in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research, Capsaicin, the component that gives jalapeno peppers their heat, may also kill prostate cancer cells. Initial experiments in cancer cells and mice show that capsaicin causes prostate cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. Researchers speculate that, in the future, pills containing capsaicin might be used as therapy to prevent prostate cancer's return. They observed that capsaicin inhibited the activity of NF-kappa Beta, a molecular mechanism that participates in the pathways leading to apoptosis in many cell types.
The NF Kappa B protein is well known to researchers as a transcription factor that regulates many genes. In cancer cells, NF Kappa B regulates genes involved in cancer cell survival, proliferation and blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). NF Kappa B is hyperactive in many human cancers including pancreatic.
The researchers report that capsaicin caused almost 80 percent of prostate cancer cells in the mice to die. In addition, prostate cancer tumors treated with capsaicin were about one-fifth the size of tumors in untreated mice.
Related:
Nutrition for cancer patients
Capsaicin may help relieve chronic pain in Diabetes.
Capsaicin induces apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration.
Posted by Richard at March 16, 2006 3:38 PM
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