Chilli pepper capsaicin may inhibit gut tumours & extend mice lifespan by 30%: Research

Treatment of the tumour-prone mice with capsaicin reduced tumour burden and extended the lifespans of the mice by over 30%.  

The research, published this month in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, ​said the active ingredient produced chronic activation of a receptor, TRPV1, on cells lining the intestines of mice genetically modified to be TRPV1-deficient, which in turn triggered the reaction.

“Our data also suggested that TRPV1 triggering by dietary administration of capsaicin suppressed intestinal tumourigenesis,”​ the researchers said.

As a result they recommended the administration of TRPV1 agonists like capsaicin in combination with celecoxib, a COX-2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that treats some forms of arthritis and pain.

Intestinal expression​

The receptor or ion channel TRPV1 was originally discovered in sensory neurons, where it acts as a guard against heat, acidity and chemicals in the environment. This latest research found that the receptor was also expressed by intestinal epithelial cells.

The scientists discovered that TRPV1 works as a tumor suppressor in the intestines through a “feedback loop”​ with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), reducing the risk of unwanted growth.

Dr Petrus de Jong, one of the study’s authors, said: "A basic level of EGFR activity is required to maintain the normal cell turnover in the gut. However, if EGFR signaling is left unrestrained, the risk of sporadic tumor development increases."​

Professor Eyal Raz, another of the study’s authors, said: "Our data suggest that individuals at high risk of developing recurrent intestinal tumors may benefit from chronic TRPV1 activation.”​

“​We have provided proof-of-principle.”​

Source: The Journal of Clinical Investigation​

Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1172/JCI72340​

“Ion channel TRPV1-dependent activation of PTP1B suppresses EGFR-associated intestinal tumorigenesis”​

Authors: P.R. de Jong, N. Takahashi, A.R. Harris, J. Lee, S.  Bertin,J. Jeffries, M. Jung, J. Duong, A.I. Triano, J. Lee, Y. Niv,D.S. Herdman, K. Taniguchi, C.W. Kim, H. Dong, L. Eckmann,S.M. Stanford, N. Bottini, M. Corr and E. Raz