Capsaicin reduces genotoxicity, colonic cell proliferation and preneoplastic lesions induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in rats

Author(s)

Ramos Caetano, Brunno Felipe ^[1] ; Tablas, Mariana Baptista ^[2] ; Ferreira Pereira, Natalia Elias ^[2] ; de Moura, Nelci Antunes ^[2] ; Carvalho, Robson Francisco ^[2] ; Marchesan Rodrigues, Maria Aparecida ^[1] ; Barbisan, Luis Fernando ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Med Sch, Dept Pathol, BR-18618687 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Biosci, Dept Morphol, BR-18618689 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology; v. 338, p. 93-102, JAN 1 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Capsaicin (8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-(trans)-6-nonenamide) is the major pungent ingredient found in chili peppers consumed worldwide. Most reports on capsaicin potential carcinogenicity have yielded inconsistent findings. Some studies have shown that capsaicin exerts anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on different cancer cell lines, while others have reported an association between capsaicin at high doses with mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the effects of capsaicin administration on 1,2-dimethyl-hydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Our results show that capsaicin administration, before and during carcinogen exposure, modified DMH-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, promoting anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic responses through the expression of the genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle suppression and cell/tissue differentiation. Furthermore, capsaicin reduced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) number and multiplicity, although there were no differences in tumor incidence and multiplicity among the groups. Taken together, the results suggest that capsaicin may have a preventive effect against DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/24762-0 - Chemopreventive activity of capsaicin on the initiation and/or promotion stages of rat colon carcinogenesis
• Grantee: Maria Aparecida Marchesan Rodrigues Kobayasi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/21951-6 - Effects of capsaicin on the chemical initiation of colon carcinogenesis in rats.
• Grantee: Brunno Felipe Ramos Caetano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master