Researchers at NIT Rourkela discover that Piperlongumine, a compound in long pepper, shows strong potential to kill colon cancer cells while sparing healthy ones
OdishaPlus Bureau
A naturally occurring compound found in long pepper has been identified as a potentially effective and economical agent against colon cancer cells, according to researchers from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela on Tuesday. Colon cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the large intestine, leading to tumor formation. It ranks among the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide. The World Health Organization reported that in 2022, there were nearly 1.9 million new cases and close to 900,000 fatalities attributed to colon cancer.
While numerous international cancer research initiatives have explored the effects of natural molecules on various cancers, the team at NIT Rourkela performed a series of laboratory experiments to showcase the efficacy of Piperlongumine—a natural compound—as a viable alternative to chemotherapy.
This is particularly relevant as traditional treatments like chemotherapy can be painful and result in enduring side effects, such as hair loss, fatigue, nerve damage, and compromised immunity.
Moreover, cancer cells often develop resistance to chemotherapy agents, complicating treatment efforts.
The results, published in the esteemed journal BioFactors, indicated that Piperlongumine effectively targets and kills colon cancer cells while sparing healthy cells from harm.