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© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Capsaicinoids are a unique chemical species resulting from a particular biosynthesis pathway of hot chilies (Capsicum spp.) that gives rise to 22 analogous compounds, all of which are TRPV1 agonists and, therefore, responsible for the pungency of Capsicum fruits. In addition to their human consumption, numerous ethnopharmacological uses of chili have emerged throughout history. Today, more than 25 years of basic research accredit a multifaceted bioactivity mainly to capsaicin, highlighting its antitumor properties mediated by cytotoxicity and immunological adjuvancy against at least 74 varieties of cancer, while non-cancer cells tend to have greater tolerance. However, despite the progress regarding the understanding of its mechanisms of action, the benefit and safety of capsaicinoids’ pharmacological use remain subjects of discussion, since CAP also promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition, in an ambivalence that has been referred to as “the double-edge sword”. Here, we update the comparative discussion of relevant reports about capsaicinoids’ bioactivity in a plethora of experimental models of cancer in terms of selectivity, efficacy, and safety. Through an integration of the underlying mechanisms, as well as inherent aspects of cancer biology, we propose mechanistic models regarding the dichotomy of their effects. Finally, we discuss a selection of in vivo evidence concerning capsaicinoids’ immunomodulatory properties against cancer.

Details

Title
Capsaicinoids and Their Effects on Cancer: The “Double-Edged Sword” Postulate from the Molecular Scale
Author
Luján-Méndez, Francisco 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Roldán-Padrón, Octavio 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Castro-Ruíz, J Eduardo 2 ; López-Martínez, Josué 1 ; García-Gasca, Teresa 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Av. De las Ciencias s/n, Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Querétaro, Mexico; [email protected] (F.L.-M.); [email protected] (O.R.-P.); [email protected] (J.L.-M.) 
 Escuela de Odontología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro 76176, Querétaro, Mexico; [email protected] 
First page
2573
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20734409
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2888103499
Copyright
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.