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Long Pepper Compound Fights Colon Cancer Cells
25 Nov
Summary
- A natural compound from long pepper effectively targets colon cancer.
- It selectively kills cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
- This offers a cost-effective, low-side-effect alternative to chemotherapy.
Scientists at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have identified a natural compound, Piperlongumine, derived from long pepper, as a potent agent against colon cancer cells. Laboratory experiments demonstrated its ability to selectively eliminate cancerous cells without harming healthy ones, offering a potentially safer and more cost-effective treatment option.
This discovery comes as a significant development, considering the limitations of traditional chemotherapy, such as severe side effects and the development of drug resistance in cancer cells. Piperlongumine combats cancer by inducing oxidative stress within cancer cells, leading to their self-destruction, a mechanism that normal cells can readily manage.
The research team is now exploring the use of Piperlongumine in conjunction with existing chemotherapy drugs to enhance treatment responsiveness, particularly for advanced or chemo-resistant colorectal cancers. The accessibility and affordability of long pepper make this a promising therapeutic avenue, especially for low and middle-income countries.
