More than spice: Capsaicin in hot chili peppers makes tumor cells commit suicide

Abstract

In summary, the oxidative stress that is stimulated by vanilloid treatment of SCC cells is primarily of mitochondrial origin and contributes to the death of these cells by apoptosis. The exact molecular milieu that characterizes elevated oxidative stress caused by vanilloid treatment is not clear and requires further investigation. It is possible that a high metabolic rate or increased oxygen utilization as a direct or indirect consequence of aberrant electron flow in the mitochondrial respiratory system of malignant cells results in the increased production of oxidants, which may overwhelm cellular antioxidant protections and lead to apoptosis. However, it can be argued that such inappropriate ROS generation may also have a deleterious effect on nonmalignant cells as well, and if this is the case, the vanilloids would be metabolic poisons rather than valuable candidates for use in preventive therapy for skin cancer or other cutaneous disorders.