The chemical compound capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers is not only responsible for the burning sensation it causes but also has been found in a research study (published March 15 on Cancer Research) to drive prostate cancer cells to kill themselves.

The team of researchers at Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA found that capsaicin caused human prostate cancer cells to undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis in mice. Apoptosis is a normal cellular process in many tissues that maintains a balance between newer replacement cells and aged or worn cells. The scientists observed that capsaicin inhibited the activity of NF-kappa Beta, a molecular mechanism that participates in the pathways leading to apoptosis in many cell types.

Approximately 30,000 men die from prostate cancer in the U.S. each year thus the potential of this study is certainly good news. Read more at EurekAlert.