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Capsaicin: Emerging Pharmacological and Therapeutic Insights

Authors :
Elena Madalina Petran
Argyrios Periferakis
Lamprini Troumpata
Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis
Andreea-Elena Scheau
Ioana Anca Badarau
Konstantinos Periferakis
Ana Caruntu
Ilinca Savulescu-Fiedler
Romina-Marina Sima
Daniela Calina
Carolina Constantin
Monica Neagu
Constantin Caruntu
Cristian Scheau
Source :
Current Issues in Molecular Biology, Vol 46, Iss 8, Pp 7895-7943 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Capsaicin, the most prominent pungent compound of chilli peppers, has been used in traditional medicine systems for centuries; it already has a number of established clinical and industrial applications. Capsaicin is known to act through the TRPV1 receptor, which exists in various tissues; capsaicin is hepatically metabolised, having a half-life correlated with the method of application. Research on various applications of capsaicin in different formulations is still ongoing. Thus, local capsaicin applications have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, while systemic applications have a multitude of different effects because their increased lipophilic character ensures their augmented bioavailability. Furthermore, various teams have documented capsaicin’s anti-cancer effects, proven both in vivo and in vitro designs. A notable constraint in the therapeutic effects of capsaicin is its increased toxicity, especially in sensitive tissues. Regarding the traditional applications of capsaicin, apart from all the effects recorded as medicinal effects, the application of capsaicin in acupuncture points has been demonstrated to be effective and the combination of acupuncture and capsaicin warrants further research. Finally, capsaicin has demonstrated antimicrobial effects, which can supplement its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic actions.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14673045 and 14673037
Volume :
46
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.20e5f159e47a45e394e2f6b3da89eeea
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46080468