Lysosomal abnormalities during benzo(a)pyrene-induced experimental lung carcinogenesis - defensive role of capsaicin

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether lysosome is a target in benzo(a) pyrene-induced, oxidative stress-mediated lung cancer in Swiss albino mice and the plausible role of the phytochemical substance capsaicin in mitigating lysosomal damage. Oxidative stress was assessed based on the level of carbonyl content. The activities of lysosomal proteases like cathepsin-D, cathepsin-B, beta-D-glucosidase, beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase and acid phosphatase were assessed to evaluate lysosomal function. Administration of benzo(a) pyrene (50 mg/kg body weight) to mice induced a increase in the activities of lysosomal enzymes and oxidative stress was evident by the increase in carbonyl content. Treatment with capsaicin (10 mg/kg body weight) decreased carbonyl content and restored the activities of lysosomal enzymes to near normalcy. Transmission electron microscopic study of lysosomes further showed the defensive action of capsaicin against the lysosomal damage caused in benzo(a) pyrene-induced lung cancer. From the present study, it can be concluded that lysosomal damage is an indispensable event in benzo(a) pyrene-induced lung cancer, and capsaicin was able to effectively prevent it, which proves the chemoprotective effect of capsaicin against benzo(a) pyrene-induced experimental lung carcinogenesis.