Peppers: A ``Hot{''} Natural Source for Antitumor Compounds

Author(s)

Cunha, Micael Rodrigues ^{[1, 2]} ; Tavares, Mauricio Temotheo ^{[2, 3]} ; Fernandes, Thais Batista ^[2] ; Parise-Filho, Roberto ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Ctr Med Chem, Dr Andre Tosello Ave 550, BR-13083886 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pharm, Lab Design & Synth Bioact Subst, Prof Lineu Prestes Ave 580, Bl 13, BR-05508900 Butanta, SP - Brazil

^[3] Scripps Res Inst, Dept Mol Med, Jupiter, FL 33458 - USA

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Molecules; v. 26, n. 6 MAR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Piper, Capsicum, and Pimenta 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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/18160-4 - Novel anticancer candidates: design, synthesis, antitumoral activity and mode of action of novel capsaicinoids and capsinoids analogues
• Grantee: Roberto Parise Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/00689-0 - New antineoplastic agents: synthesis, molecular docking and antitumoral activity of capsaicinoids analogues
• Grantee: Roberto Parise Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants