Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have found that a natural compound in long pepper may help fight colon cancer in a cost-effective way. Colon cancer occurs when cells in the large intestine grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, there were about 1.9 million new cases and nearly 900,000 deaths from colon cancer.
While many international studies have looked at natural compounds for cancer treatment, the NIT Rourkela team tested a compound called Piperlongumine in the lab as a possible alternative to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy, the usual treatment, can be painful and cause side effects like hair loss, fatigue, nerve damage, and weak immunity. Cancer cells can also develop resistance to chemotherapy, making treatment harder.
The study, published in the journal BioFactors, showed that Piperlongumine kills colon cancer cells but does not harm healthy cells.