We investigated whether components of
paradicsompaprika have direct antitumor effects or inhibitory effects on
cancer growth, using its water extract. We applied
collagen gel droplet embedded culture
drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) as a screening method, which was developed based on the characteristics of cell culture on
collagen matrix.
Colon adenocarcinoma cells, epithelial cells of
lung cancer, and
cervical cancer cells were used.
Paradicsompaprika is classified as Capsiucum annume L. var. grossum of Solanaceae. It is the first of the Hungarian species that was planted in Japan. It is available as
TOMA-P in Japan.
TOMA-P contains abundant
carotenoids including
capsanthin and
beta-carotene. Water extract of
paradicsompaprika was added to each cell at each concentration, and the mixture was cultured for 24 h and 7 days. The inhibitory effects against
lung cancer and
cervical cancer were observed concentration- and time-dependently. The effect was more prominent against
lung cancer. The growth of bowel
cancer cells was observed after the 7-day exposure of
paradicsompaprika at the concentrations below the highest concentration compared to the control. At the highest concentration, the growth inhibition was not different between the 24-h exposure and the 7-day exposure, which suggests that
tumor dormancy was induced. Results of the present study suggest that the water extract of
paradicsompaprika can be a candidate of a new
anticancer agent. Fat soluble component of
paradicsompaprika,
capsanthin is regarded as an anti-promoter of
cancer. Thus,
paradicsompaprika possesses chemopreventive and inhibitory effects on
cancer cells.