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Chili pepper extracts, capsaicin, and dihydrocapsaicin as potential anticancer agents targeting topoisomerases

Terézia Hudáková1, Martina Šemeláková1, Peter Očenáš2

  • 1Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11, Košice, Slovakia.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
|February 21, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Certain chili pepper extracts show potential anticancer properties by inhibiting DNA topoisomerases, enzymes crucial for cell growth and targeted by cancer drugs. These findings suggest novel therapeutic applications for these natural compounds.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes regulating DNA topology during vital cellular processes.
  • These enzymes are validated therapeutic targets for anticancer drug development.
  • Chili pepper extracts are explored for their potential biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the DNA topoisomerase inhibitory and DNA-damaging/protective activities of various chili pepper extracts.
  • To evaluate the in vitro anticancer effects of these extracts on human colon carcinoma cells.

Main Methods:

  • DNA topology assay was employed to assess the inhibition of Topoisomerase I (Topo I) relaxation activity.
  • Complete inhibition of Topoisomerase II (Topo II) was determined.
  • MTS and xCell assays were utilized to examine the anticancer effects on HCT116 cells.

Main Results:

  • All tested chili pepper extracts (HR, HMR, TMS, J, SP, HRS, BJ, JR) inhibited Topo I activity.
  • Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (TMS), Habanero Red (HR), and Habanero Maya Red (HMR) extracts completely inhibited Topo II.
  • Jalapeno (J) and Serrano pepper (SP) extracts exhibited the lowest capsaicinoid content.
  • All extracts demonstrated anticancer effects against HCT116 colon carcinoma cells.

Conclusions:

  • Chili pepper extracts possess significant inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerases I and II.
  • These extracts exhibit promising in vitro anticancer activity against colon carcinoma.
  • The findings support the potential of chili peppers as a source for novel anticancer agents.
Keywords:
CapsaicinChili pepper extractDihydrocapsaicinTopoisomerases inhibition

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