It turns out that a popular spice is a weapon against cancer at the genetic level.

It is not a secret that many spices and herbs have anti-cancer properties. According to recent studies, Indian pungent long pepper (pippali) is one of such products, Zee News reports. This type of pepper has a substance (piperlongumine) that can stop the production of a particular enzyme in the body. This enzyme is normally found in large amounts in tumors.

Piperlongumine exhibits activity against prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, intestinal cancer, lymphoma, leukemia and brain tumors. By means of X-ray crystallography, the scientists were able to create molecular structures. They showed how the chemical substance was transformed after getting into the body.

It turned out that this substance was converted into the active agent that inhibits the activity of GSTP1 gene. This gene is connected with the production of enzyme, which is found in large amounts in tumors. According to scientists, thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, the amazing properties of the popular Indian cooking pepper have been revealed.

Source: МEDdaily