Peppers: A “Hot” Natural Source for Antitumor Compounds
Micael Rodrigues Cunha, Maurício T. Tavares, Thais Batista Fernandes, Roberto Parise‐Filho
Abstract
are the main genera of peppers consumed worldwide. The traditional use of peppers by either ancient civilizations or modern societies has raised interest in their biological applications, including cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects. Cellular responses upon treatment with isolated pepper-derived compounds involve mechanisms of cell death, especially through proapoptotic stimuli in tumorigenic cells. In this review, we highlight naturally occurring secondary metabolites of peppers with cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. Available mechanisms of cell death, as well as the development of analogues, are also discussed.
Topics & Concepts
PepperCytotoxic T cellProgrammed cell deathBiologyTraditional medicineApoptosisMedicineBiochemistryFood scienceIn vitroPiperaceae Chemical and Biological StudiesEssential Oils and Antimicrobial ActivityTraditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae