Beneficial influence of capsaicin on lipid peroxidation, membrane-bound enzymes and glycoprotein profile during experimental lung carcinogenesis

This study was designed to examine the impact of a principal component of hot red peppers and chilli peppers, capsaicin, on alterations in lipid peroxidation, membrane-bound enzyme profiles and glycoprotein levels during benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice. BP (50 mgkg ^-1) induced deleterious changes that were that revealed by alterations in lipid peroxidation, membrane-bound enzyme (Na⁺/K ⁺ATPase, Ca²⁺ATPase and Mg²⁺ATPase) activity, levels of total protein and protein-bound carbohydrate components (sialic acid, hexose, hexosamine, hexuronic acid and fucose). Pre-co-treatment with capsaicin (10 mg kg^-1) restored the detrimental effects induced by BP, indicating its protective role in BP-induced lung cancer.