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Review
. 2017 Dec 16;9(12):1365.
doi: 10.3390/nu9121365.

Capsaicin: Friend or Foe in Skin Cancer and Other Related Malignancies?

Simona-Roxana Georgescu  1 , Maria-Isabela Sârbu  2 , Clara Matei  3 , Mihaela Adriana Ilie  4 , Constantin Caruntu  5   6 , Carolina Constantin  7 , Monica Neagu  8   9 , Mircea Tampa  10
Affiliations
Review

Capsaicin: Friend or Foe in Skin Cancer and Other Related Malignancies?

Simona-Roxana Georgescu et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Capsaicin is the main pungent in chili peppers, one of the most commonly used spices in the world; its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties have been proven in various cultures for centuries. It is a lipophilic substance belonging to the class of vanilloids and an agonist of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor. Taking into consideration the complex neuro-immune impact of capsaicin and the potential link between inflammation and carcinogenesis, the effect of capsaicin on muco-cutaneous cancer has aroused a growing interest. The aim of this review is to look over the most recent data regarding the connection between capsaicin and muco-cutaneous cancers, with emphasis on melanoma and muco-cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: cancer; capsaicin; carcinogenesis; melanoma; neurogenic inflammation; skin; squamous cell carcinoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Capsaicin-induced inflammatory response is initiated by activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor(TRPV1) followed by the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides from nerve endings. Substance P(SP)and calcitonin-gene related peptide(CGRP), by activation of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1) and CGRP receptors, induce vasodilation, increased vascular permeability and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The released neuropeptides can induce degranulation of mast cells that play an important role in amplification of capsaicin-induced neurogenic inflammation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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