Capsaicin is an active ingredient of chili peppers. Although traditionally associated with
chemopreventive and anti-carcinogenic activity, recent studies have shown that capsaicin has profound
anti-neoplastic effects in several types of human cancer cells. The biological activity of capsaicin is
mediated by the transient receptor potential vanilloid [TRPV] superfamily of ion channel receptors.
Specifically, capsaicin is an agonist of the TRPV1 receptor. The growth-inhibitory properties of
capsaicin have been found to be mediated by TRPV1-dependent and independent mechanisms.
Experiments in multiple animal models have demonstrated that the anti-cancer activity of capsaicin is
not associated with any discomfort or toxicity. The present review summarizes the current knowledge
on the growth-inhibitory activity of capsaicin and discusses the signaling pathways underlying its anticancer
effects. Future studies involving the design of capsaicin-mimetics with improved selectivity may
represent novel strategies in the treatment of human cancers.
Keywords: Angiogenesis, Apoptosis, Autophagy, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Capsaicin, Cell Cycle, Cell
Migration, Chili Peppers, Colon Cancer, Diet, Food, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Prostate Cancer.
