背景口腔鳞状细胞癌（OSCC）是世界范围内高度流行的癌症。微生物感染、口腔卫生不良以及人乳头瘤病毒 (HPV) 等慢性病毒感染是其发病的原因。辣椒素以其存在于辣椒中而闻名，已证明其对癌细胞具有潜在的抗增殖作用。它通过诱导程序性细胞死亡、调节转录因子的表达、停止细胞周期进程以及影响生长信号转导途径来发挥作用。这些发现表明辣椒素作为进一步探索对抗口腔癌的候选者具有广阔的前景。目的本研究旨在通过体外研究来鉴定和评估辣椒素对口腔癌细胞的抗癌特性。方法 使用 3-(4,5-二甲基噻唑-2-基)-2,5-二苯基溴化四唑 (MTT) 技术评估经辣椒素处理的口腔癌细胞的细胞活力。在 24 小时内，以一定浓度 (25-150 µg/mL) 的辣椒素作用于 KB1 细胞。使用相差显微镜评估细胞的形态变化。对核因子κB (NFκB) 和肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNFα) 进行定量实时聚合酶链反应 (PCR) 基因表达分析。为了研究核形态变化，用吖啶橙/溴化乙锭 (AO/EtBr) 对口腔癌细胞进行染色。使用荧光显微镜观察凋亡细胞核。进行划痕伤口愈合测试以检查辣椒素的抗迁移潜力。结果 在我们对用辣椒素处理的口腔癌细胞的研究中，对照组和治疗组之间的细胞活力显着下降（p < 0.05）。在口腔癌细胞中的抑制浓度 (IC50) 为 74.4 μM/mL。处理后，细胞减少，存在的细胞萎缩并出现细胞质膜起泡。在 AO/EtBr 染色下，处理的细胞表现出染色质浓缩和核崩解。此外，辣椒素处理的细胞的迁移显着低于对照细胞。基因表达分析的结果表明，施用辣椒素后 TNFα 和 NFκB 显着下调。结论 该研究结果表明辣椒素可能对口腔癌细胞具有抗肿瘤特性。迫切需要更多的研究来充分了解辣椒素的抗癌潜力和治疗适用性的机制。版权所有 © 2024，Arivalagan 等人。

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly prevalent cancer worldwide. Microbial infections, poor oral hygiene, and chronic viral infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) contribute to its incidence. Capsaicin, known for its presence in chili peppers, has demonstrated potential antiproliferative effects in cancer cells. It operates by inducing programmed cell death, regulating the expression of transcription factors, halting cell cycle progression, and influencing growth signal transduction pathways. These findings suggest capsaicin's promising role as a candidate for further exploration in combating oral cancer. Aim This study intends to identify and evaluate the anticancer properties of capsaicin on oral cancer cells through in vitro investigations. Methodology Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) technique, the cell viability of oral cancer cells treated with capsaicin was evaluated. Capsaicin was applied to the KB1 cells in a range of concentrations (25-150 µg/mL) over 24 hours. The morphological alterations of the cells were assessed using a phase contrast microscope. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene expression analysis. To investigate nuclear morphological changes, oral cancer cells were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr). The apoptotic nuclei were visualized using a fluorescent microscope. A scratch wound healing test was performed to check for capsaicin's anti-migratory potential. Result In our investigation of oral cancer cells treated with capsaicin, there was a significant drop in cell viability between the control and treatment groups (p < 0.05). The inhibitory concentration (IC50) was found to be 74.4 μM/mL in oral cancer cells. Following treatment, fewer cells were present, and those that were present shriveled and exhibited cytoplasmic membrane blebbing. Under AO/EtBr staining, treated cells exhibited chromatin condensation and nuclear disintegration. Furthermore, the migration of capsaicin-treated cells was significantly lower than that of control cells. The results of gene expression analysis demonstrated a considerable downregulation of TNFα and NFκB following capsaicin administration. Conclusion The study's findings suggest that capsaicin may have anti-tumor properties in oral cancer cells. More research is desperately needed to fully understand the mechanism underlying capsaicin's anticancer potential and therapeutic applicability.Copyright © 2024, Arivalagan et al.