Abstract
Capsaicin, the most abundant pungent molecule produced by pepper plants, represents an important ingredient in spicy foods consumed throughout the world. Studies have shown that capsaicin can relieve inflammation and has anti-proliferative effects on various human malignancies. Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a cancer disease with rising incidence. The prognosis remains dismal with little advance in treatment. The aim of the present study is to explore the anti-tumor activity of capsaicin in cultured human CC cell lines. Capsaicin effectively impaired cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and growth of softagar colonies. Further, we show that capsaicin treatment of CC cells regulates the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results provide a basis for capsaicin to improve the prognosis of CCs in vivo and present new insights into the effectiveness and mode of action of capsaicin.
Highlights
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a cancer disease which is increasing worldwide [1,2]
Our work reveals that capsaicin can block cell proliferation, migration, invasion, colony formation, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human cholangiocarcinoma cells
Capsaicin decreases the viability of human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and induces apoptosis
Summary
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a cancer disease which is increasing worldwide [1,2]. It represents the second most common primary hepatobiliary cancer and demands a need for a better understanding of the tumor development [3]. Treatment by photodynamic therapy (PDT), systemic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are the only options for patients with inoperable disease [9,10,11]. The combination of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin is the standard chemotherapeutic regimen for patients undergoing first line treatment [18,19]. Standard chemotherapies only offer limited benefit and new strategies are still needed to overcome this deadly disease
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