The Natural Chemotherapeutic Capsaicin Activates AMPK through LKB1 Kinase and TRPV1 Receptors in Prostate Cancer Cells

A Comprehensive Review of Capsaicin and Its Role in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

This study examines the fundamental chemical mechanisms responsible for capsaicin's advantageous impact on cancer, specifically investigating its influence on several biological processes such as inflammation in cancer metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cellular proliferation. This entity's connections with other signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, NF-B, and TRPV channels, which have been linked to tumor growth, are thoroughly examined in this work. This study presents a thorough analysis of preclinical studies and clinical trials investigating the efficacy of capsaicin in treating many forms of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, and others. Through tests conducted in both live organisms and laboratory settings, it has been determined that capsaicin has the ability to inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. (in vitro and in vivo). Researchers have also looked at the results of combining capsaicin with chemotherapy medications in traditional treatment. The efficacy and bioavailability of capsaicin as a viable medicinal drug are being studied, along with ways to improve its clinical value. The present investigation carefully assesses the challenges and potential options for maximizing the therapeutic benefits of capsaicin, including customized drug delivery and personalized therapeutic strategies. In finalization, this comprehensive investigation brings together the evidence currently obtainable on the anticancer properties of capsaicin, underscoring its potential as an autonomous treatment option in the struggle against cancer. Capsaicin is a compound of significant relevance for continuing research and clinical exploration in the field of cancer treatment due to its diverse mechanisms of action and ability for boosting prevailing therapy approaches.

Development and therapeutic implications of small molecular inhibitors that target calcium-related channels in tumor treatment

Calcium ion dysregulation exerts profound effects on various physiological activities such as tumor proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. Calcium-related channels play a regulatory role in maintaining calcium ion homeostasis, with most channels being highly expressed in tumor cells. Additionally, these channels serve as potential drug targets for the development of antitumor medications. In this review, we first discuss the current research status of these pathways, examining how they modulate various tumor functions such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metabolism, and drug resistance. Simultaneously, we summarize the recent progress in the study of novel small-molecule drugs over the past 5 years and their current status.

Proton-sensing ion channels, GPCRs and calcium signaling regulated by them: implications for cancer

Extracellular acidification of tumors is common. Through proton-sensing ion channels or proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), tumor cells sense extracellular acidification to stimulate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways including the calcium signaling, which consequently exerts global impacts on tumor cells. Proton-sensing ion channels, and proton-sensing GPCRs have natural advantages as drug targets of anticancer therapy. However, they and the calcium signaling regulated by them attracted limited attention as potential targets of anticancer drugs. In the present review, we discuss the progress in studies on proton-sensing ion channels, and proton-sensing GPCRs, especially emphasizing the effects of calcium signaling activated by them on the characteristics of tumors, including proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, angiogenesis. In addition, we review the drugs targeting proton-sensing channels or GPCRs that are currently in clinical trials, as well as the relevant potential drugs for cancer treatments, and discuss their future prospects. The present review aims to elucidate the important role of proton-sensing ion channels, GPCRs and calcium signaling regulated by them in cancer initiation and development. This review will promote the development of drugs targeting proton-sensing channels or GPCRs for cancer treatments, effectively taking their unique advantage as anti-cancer drug targets.

Capsaicin: A chili pepper bioactive phytocompound with a potential role in suppressing cancer development and progression

Cancer profoundly influences morbidity and fatality rates worldwide. Patients often have dismal prognoses despite recent improvements in cancer therapy regimens. However, potent biomolecules derived from natural sources, including medicinal and dietary plants, contain biological and pharmacological properties to prevent and treat various human malignancies. Capsaicin is a bioactive phytocompound present in red hot chili peppers. Capsaicin has demonstrated many biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic capabilities. This review highlights the cellular and molecular pathways through which capsaicin exhibits antineoplastic activities. Our work also depicts the synergistic anticancer properties of capsaicin in conjunction with other natural bioactive components and approved anticancer drugs. Capsaicin inhibits proliferation in various cancerous cells, and its antineoplastic actions in numerous in vitro and in vivo carcinoma models impact oncogenesis, tumor-promoting and suppressor genes, and associated signaling pathways. Capsaicin alone or combined with other phytocompounds or approved antineoplastic drugs triggers cell cycle progression arrest, generating reactive oxygen species and disrupting mitochondrial membrane integrity, ultimately stimulating caspases and promoting death. Furthermore, capsaicin alone or in combination can promote apoptosis in carcinoma cells by enhancing the p53 and c-Myc gene expressions. In conclusion, capsaicin alone or in combination can have enormous potential for cancer prevention and intervention, but further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of this phytocompound.

Current and Future Cancer Chemoprevention Strategies

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 and ranking as the second-leading cause of death in economically developed countries [...].

The role of transient receptor potential channels in metastasis

Metastasis is the hallmark of failed tumor treatment and is typically associated with death due to cancer. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels affect changes in intracellular calcium concentrations and participate at every stage of metastasis. Further, they increase the migratory ability of tumor cells, promote angiogenesis, regulate immune function, and promote the growth of tumor cells through changes in gene expression and function. In this review, we explore the potential mechanisms of action of TRP channels, summarize their role in tumor metastasis, compile inhibitors of TRP channels relevant in tumors, and discuss current challenges in research on TRP channels involved in tumor metastasis.