METABOLIC THERAPY

Redefining
Cancer
Treatment

Supplement

Piperine

Piperine is an alkaloid found primarily in black pepper that acts as a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) agonist, influencing various cellular signaling pathways and potentially exhibiting anti-cancer properties.
Pricing

Piperine supplements are widely available online and in health food stores. Prices typically range from £10 to £30 for a 30-60 day supply, depending on brand, concentration, and quantity.

Piperine

Cancer Impact Summary

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Full Supplement Details

Piperine, the primary bioactive compound in black pepper (Piper nigrum), demonstrates diverse biological activities, including potential anti-cancer effects. Its mechanisms of action include:

Molecular Mechanisms:

* TRPV1 Agonism: Piperine activates TRPV1, a non-selective cation channel involved in pain and inflammation signaling. This activation can lead to downstream effects on cellular proliferation and apoptosis in cancer cells.

* NF-κB Inhibition: Research indicates piperine can suppress the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, a key regulator of inflammation and cancer cell growth. This inhibition may contribute to its anti-cancer potential.

* Modulation of Drug Metabolising Enzymes: Piperine influences cytochrome P450 enzymes, potentially altering the metabolism and efficacy of other anti-cancer drugs when used in combination therapies.

Metabolic Interactions:

Piperine’s influence on cancer metabolism is an area of ongoing research. Studies suggest it may impact:

* Glycolysis: Piperine potentially affects the Warburg effect, a hallmark of cancer metabolism characterised by increased glucose uptake and lactate production even in the presence of oxygen.

* Mitochondrial Function: Preliminary evidence indicates piperine may modulate mitochondrial respiration, which could impact cancer cell energy production and metabolism.

Key Research Findings:

* In vitro studies have demonstrated piperine’s ability to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines, including prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer cells.

* A 2016 study published in “Oncotarget” showed piperine’s inhibitory effect on prostate cancer cell growth by targeting the androgen receptor signaling pathway.

Relation to Metabolic Theory of Cancer:

Piperine’s potential to modulate glycolysis and mitochondrial function aligns with the metabolic theory of cancer, which posits that metabolic dysregulation is a driver of cancer development and progression. Further research is required to elucidate these connections and their therapeutic implications.

Dosage

Current clinical trials are ongoing to establish safe and effective doses for piperine’s therapeutic use in cancer treatment. In dietary supplement form, typical doses range from 5-20 mg per day, though these amounts are not specifically established for cancer treatment.

Cancer Types Tested Against

Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer

Side Effects

Piperine is generally considered safe for short-term use in culinary amounts. However, high doses or prolonged supplementation may lead to:

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, heartburn, and abdominal pain.
  • Increased risk of bleeding due to its potential to inhibit platelet aggregation.
  • Interactions with medications, particularly those metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Individuals taking medications or with pre-existing health conditions should be cautious when using piperine supplements.

Combination Therapies

Research suggests potential synergistic effects when piperine is combined with certain chemotherapy agents, enhancing their efficacy. For example:

  • Piperine may increase the bioavailability of curcumin, a natural compound noted for its anti-cancer properties.
  • Studies indicate that piperine can enhance the effects of docetaxel in prostate cancer cell lines.

Clinical validation of these combination therapies remains insufficient, necessitating further research to establish safe and effective protocols.

Links to Scientific Studies

US National Library of Medicine
Europe PMC
Pubmed

Quality of Life Effects

Limited data exists on piperine’s impact on quality of life in cancer warriors. Potential benefits affecting quality of life include:

  • Anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce cancer-related pain and discomfort.
  • Possible enhancement of chemotherapy efficacy, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
  • Potential reduction of chemotherapy side effects when used as an adjuvant.

These potential benefits remain largely theoretical and require further clinical validation.

Answers to all your questions

We’ve done our best to include as much information as possible for this supplement. 

If you have any other questions, please send us a message or join our Skool Group and ask our knowledgeable and friendly community.

Piperine is readily accessible as a dietary supplement in most countries. The regulatory status varies:

  • In the United States, it is generally classified as a dietary supplement, regulated by the FDA under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
  • In the European Union, piperine is considered a novel food ingredient requiring safety assessment before market authorisation.

It is advisable to check local regulations as they may differ between countries.

While preclinical studies have shown promising results, clinical trials are necessary to determine its efficacy and safety across different populations. This remains an area requiring further research and exploration.

Resistance mechanisms related to piperine in cancer treatment have been explored in some studies. For example, piperine has been shown to target drug resistance mechanisms in ovarian cancer cells, such as downregulating proteins like P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), which are associated with multidrug resistance.

Additionally, it can influence extracellular matrix components and cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Piperine Targets Different Drug Resistance Mechanisms in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines Leading to Increased Sensitivity to Cytotoxic Drugs

Numerous preclinical studies using various cancer cell lines and animal models have demonstrated piperine’s potential anti-cancer properties. Key findings include:

  • Inhibition of proliferation in breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer cell lines.
  • Induction of apoptosis across multiple cancer types.
  • Suppression of angiogenesis in animal models.
  • Enhancement of the efficacy of certain chemotherapy drugs.

Preclinical results do not necessarily predict human efficacy; thus, further clinical research is necessary.

As of 2023, no active registered clinical trials specifically investigating piperine as a primary treatment for cancer are listed on major databases like ClinicalTrials.gov. Most current research on piperine’s anti-cancer effects is in preclinical stages.

While piperine has shown potential in modulating various signalling pathways and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, no definitive genetic markers have been identified to tailor its use for individual patients.

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Inducing Apoptosis

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a natural process where cells self-destruct when they are damaged or no longer needed. This is crucial for maintaining healthy tissues and preventing diseases like cancer. 

Drugs and supplements that induce apoptosis help eliminate cancerous cells by triggering this self-destruct mechanism, ensuring that harmful cells are removed without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. 

Understanding and harnessing apoptosis is vital in the fight against cancer, as it targets the root cause of the disease at the cellular level.

Inhibiting Cell Proliferation

Cell proliferation is the process by which cells grow and divide to produce more cells. While this is essential for growth and healing, uncontrolled cell proliferation can lead to cancer.

Drugs and supplements that inhibit cell proliferation help prevent the rapid multiplication of cancerous cells, slowing down or stopping the progression of the disease.

By targeting the mechanisms that drive cell division, these treatments play a vital role in controlling and potentially eradicating cancer.

Targeting Specific Pathways

Cancer cells often hijack specific biological pathways to grow and spread. Drugs and supplements that target these pathways can disrupt the cancer cell’s ability to survive and multiply.

By focusing on the unique mechanisms that cancer cells use, these treatments can be more effective and cause fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies.

Targeting specific pathways is a key strategy in precision medicine, offering a tailored approach to combat cancer at its core.

Angiogenesis Inhibition

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form, supplying nutrients and oxygen to tissues. Cancer cells exploit this process to fuel their growth and spread.

Drugs and supplements that inhibit angiogenesis can effectively starve cancer cells by blocking the formation of these new blood vessels.

By cutting off the supply lines that tumors rely on, angiogenesis inhibitors play a crucial role in controlling and potentially shrinking cancerous growths.

Role in Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to combat cancer. By boosting or restoring the immune system’s natural ability to detect and destroy cancer cells, immunotherapy offers a targeted and effective approach to treatment.

Drugs and supplements that support immunotherapy can enhance the immune response, making it more efficient at identifying and attacking cancer cells.

This innovative approach not only helps in treating cancer but also reduces the risk of recurrence, providing a powerful tool in the fight against this disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of cancer.

Drugs and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation, thereby lowering the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

By targeting the inflammatory processes, these treatments can help maintain a healthier cellular environment and prevent the conditions that allow cancer to thrive.