Guwahati: 'Bhot jolokia', also known as king chilli or Naga chilli and native to northeast India, has demonstrated the ability to reduce cancer tumors in a scientific study conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The research was supervised by Prof. Nirala Ramchiary, a researcher from Assam, at the School of Life Sciences of the university.
Study Details
'Bhot jolokia' (Capsicum chinense) is among the world's hottest chillies and is a staple in local cuisine and traditional remedies. According to the researchers, the study is significant because locals in northeast India have long believed that consuming highly spicy foods like 'Bhot jolokia' might be linked to high cancer rates in the region. However, contrary to this belief, recent investigations at JNU's School of Life Sciences found that 'Bhot jolokia' may significantly reduce cancer tumor growth and size, providing experimental evidence supporting its anticancer potential.
Prof. Nirala Ramchiary stated, "In northeast India, there has been a long-standing belief that the high incidence of cancer may be linked to the consumption of highly spicy foods such as Bhot jolokia. Our research scientifically investigated this concern in mouse models and found the study particularly relevant given the region's high prevalence of lung, esophageal, and gastrointestinal cancers, which are influenced by genetic, dietary, environmental, and lifestyle factors. These preliminary findings suggest that 'Bhot jolokia' is not only a unique cultural and agricultural asset of northeast India but also a promising candidate in cancer research."
He added that sustained scientific efforts and strategic research funding will be essential to fully explore its therapeutic potential for regional and national health benefits.
Expert Comments
Dr. Sarpras M, assistant professor at Mahatma Gandhi Government Arts College, Mahe, Puducherry, and first author of the latest paper, said that the study meaningfully advances scientific understanding of Bhot jolokia's anticancer properties. He also described Bhot jolokia as a pride of northeast India with a long history of use in traditional medicine.
Previous Research
Earlier work by Prof. Ramchiary's team, published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology (2019), demonstrated the apoptosis-inducing efficacy of compounds derived from 'Bhot jolokia', indicating their ability to trigger programmed cell death in cancerous cells. The recent 2026 study by the same team, published in The Nucleus journal, reported strong anticancer efficacy of Bhot jolokia extracts in mouse models, including a marked reduction in carcinogen-induced lung tumor size in mice.
Genomic Studies
Beyond these studies, Prof. Ramchiary's lab is decoding the genomes of 'Bhot jolokia' and 'Kon jolokia' (Capsicum frutescens) and has identified genes linked to the extreme pungency of these chilli varieties. The lab said these results reflect more than a decade of sustained research.
