Canadian researchers say they're trying to determine whether a chemical compound found in chili peppers can cure diabetes.

The researchers, based in Toronto, said they injected diabetic mice with capsaicin -- a compound that makes chili peppers spicy. The disease in the mice was cured, the researchers said.

Dr. Linda DiMeglio, an endocrinologist at Indianapolis' Riley Hospital for Children and the president of the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association, said the research brings humans a step closer to a cure.

"We have to wait for human studies to see if it works, but it's certainly a novel approach in something that hadn't been before explored," DiMeglio said.

Even if capsaicin injections prove successful in humans, it could be years before they are available, 6News' Stacia Matthews reported.