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Study subject. Effect of capsaicin on tumorigenesis. Plants of the Capsicum family including chili peppers are one of the oldest domesticated crops. The constituents of chili peppers, particularly capsaicin, have become the subject of intense research because of their diverse effects on physiology and metabolism. The widespread use of capsaicin in various types of diseases has naturally led to attempts to use it to combat diseases that cause more than 25% of Poland's deaths - cancer. Purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to gather and systematize knowledge on the effects of capsaicin and chili bell pepper extracts on tumorigenesis taking into account both its anticancer and prooncogenic properties described in the medical literature. Other properties of capsaicin resulting from its mechanism of action were also taken into account. Materials and Methods. The literature was reviewed by searching scientific databases: PubMed, ClinicalKey and Google Scholar. A search for relevant articles on chili peppers, capsaicin and their effects on tumorigenesis was conducted using the keywords "capsaicin" (Capsaicin), "cancer" (Cancer), TRPV1, "apoptosis" (Apoptosis), "oxidative stress" (Oxidative stress), "proliferation" (Proliferation), and in the following order: "obesity" (ang Obesity), "pain" (ang Pain). The present methodology made it possible to find current, both original and review papers on the properties of capsaicin, and in particular its effect on tumorigenesis. Results: Capsaicin, acts as an agonist of TRPV-1 receptors, which are widespread both in the nervous system (particularly in nopcyclic receptors) and outside nervous tissues. Studies indicate that the substance can effectively help regulate carbohydrate metabolism, help lower blood pressure, positively influence the lipid profile and reduce appetite. Thanks to these mechanisms, capsaicin can be used as an aid in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, obesity or type II diabetes. In the anti-cancer context, capsaicin shows the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, reactivate the p53 protein and act as a radio- or chemosensitizer. Thanks to the discovery of its effects on the above mechanisms, capsaicin has been the subject of research for years into its use as an anticancer drug or an adjuvant to cancer treatment. Despite the promising results, there are conflicting reports on the effects of capsaicin on tumorigenesis. It seems that despite its undoubted anti-cancer effects confirmed by numerous studies, inappropriate use of capsaicin or products containing it may pose a risk of exacerbating existing cancer or the appearance of metastases. Conclusions: Despite its promising therapeutic properties, particularly in the anticancer context, the safety and efficacy of capsaicin remain controversial. Further research into the dose, duration of exposure and use of capsaicin is needed to accurately determine the scope of its applications and minimize possible negative side effects.

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by total cholesterol levels exceeding 200 mg/dl. A breakthrough in its treatment was the introduction of the first representative of the status - lovastatin. The mechanism of their action relies on inhibition of the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid, the main substrate in the synthesis of endogenous cholesterol. The progress of experimental and clinical studies on action statins indicates a number of other biological properties of this group of compounds, and thus their pharmacological potential. The possibility of their use in the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases, hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, or cancer has been so far highlighted. The aim of this paper was to systematize the knowledge of statin drugs in terms of the progress of studies on their biological activity indicating the possibility of their potential use in the treatment of diseases other than those related to the cardiovascular system, along with verification of their safety profile and demonstrated adverse effects (DN) as a result of their intake. The literature review was conducted by a screening of the following scientific databases - PubMed and Google Scholar (the analysis lasted from March 2022 to February 2023). The keywords used for searching were disease-related and DN-related. Statins have shown potential to alleviate symptoms of androgen excess in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Studies relating to their effect on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementia indicate a reduction in progressive neurodegenerative changes, and thus suggest their potential use in the prevention and treatment of comorbid cardiovascular disease. Moreover, statins tend to reduce morbidity, increase survival, and alleviate the progression of cancer. The results of studies of the effects of these drugs on the possibility or development of Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis and the etiology of muscle symptoms appear to be inconsistent in the relationship of their benefits to DN. Unfortunately, it seems that they have also led to disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism and increased the risk of type II diabetes mellitus (NODM). Studies on the effect of the nocebo effect during statin therapy on the frequency with which patients experience DN have confirmed the presence of this effect. Analysis of the collected studies shows considerable potential for expanding the current therapeutic indications of the drugs in question. However, further randomized controlled trials are required to determine the precise effective dose, duration of therapy for a specific statin.

Ointments, creams and gels in experimental and clinical oncology The treatment of oncology patients is most often identified with the use of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Due to the safety of use of the semi-solid formulations, compared to classical systemic therapy in oncology, are gaining more and more interest among researchers. Effective topical pharmacotherapy in oncology using semi-solid formulations is a technological challenge for pharmacists. The structure of the epidermis makes it difficult for hydrophilic anticancer substances to penetrate into the deeper parts of the skin. Active substances remain in the stratum corneum, which is a physiological barier of the skin. Due to technological problems a small number of externally applied preparations, which are indicated for anticancer treatment have been registrated so far. The aim of this study was to assess the availability of oncological drugs applied in semi-solid preparations, mainly ointments, creams and gels. The paper reviews the literature for experimental studies, clinical trials as well as data from the Polish Patent Office and the European Patent Office verifying the usefulness of semi-solid formulations were review in this article. Attention was paid to the physicochemical properties of the active substances. Also in this article was evaluated the pharmaceutical form as well as to the characteristics of the excipients. The research focuses on drug forms such as creams (60%), gels (25%) and ointments (15%). The topical application of drugs with anticancer activity promotes increased therapeutic efficacy. Use of external pharmacotherapy, it is possible to minimise systemic side effects, to target the tumour lesion directly and to achieve an optimal concentration of the therapeutic substance at the target site. Semi-solid forms can be recommended for patients who are not eligible for surgery or systemic chemotherapy. Of particular interest are creams and gels containing well recognised cytostatics in oncology, such as 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, tamoxifen.