Capsicum frutescens (Cayenne Pepper)

Chapter 73 Capsicum frutescens (Cayenne Pepper)




Capsicum frutescens (family: Solanaceae)


Common names: cayenne pepper, capsicum, chili pepper, red pepper, American pepper




image Chemical Composition


The most important constituents of cayenne pepper are the pungent compounds, with capsaicin being the most prominent (Figure 73-1). Typically, cayenne pepper contains about 1.5% capsaicin and related principles. Other active constituents present include carotenoids, vitamins A and C, and volatile oils.






image Clinical Applications for Oral Preparations


Cayenne pepper exerts several beneficial effects on gastrointestinal function, including acting as a digestant and carminative.7 Double-blind studies showed that red pepper consumption protects against aspirin-induced stomach damage and improves epigastric pain, fullness, and nausea scores in people with nonulcer dyspepsia.810 In one study, the digestive-enhancing effects of capsicum were determined in 30 patients with functional dyspepsia and without gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease and irritable bowel syndrome.11 These patients received, before meals, randomly and in a double-blind manner, 2.5 g/day of red pepper powder or placebo for 5 weeks. The overall symptom score and the epigastric pain, fullness, and nausea scores of the red pepper group were significantly lower than those of the placebo group, starting from the third week of treatment. The decrease reached about 60% at the end of treatment in the red pepper group, whereas placebo scores decreased by less than 30%.


Capsicum does, however, lower the threshold for GER, presumably by direct effects on sensory neurons and may produce symptoms of GER.12,13



Thermogenic Aid


Capsicum ingestion may also prove to be helpful in promoting weight loss in obese individuals, because clinical studies showed capsicum increased the basal metabolic rate while reducing appetite and caloric intake.14,15 In one study, after ingesting a standardized dinner on the previous evening, the subjects ate one of the following for breakfast: a high-fat meal, a high-fat meal with red pepper (10 g), a high-carbohydrate meal, or a high-carbohydrate meal with red pepper (10 g). Diet-induced thermogenesis was significantly enhanced by the addition of red pepper to either meal, but especially the high-fat meal.16 In another study, 40 women and 40 men (mean age of 42 years and body mass index of 30.4) were randomly assigned to a capsinoid (6 mg/day) or placebo group.17 Mean weight change was 0.9 and 0.5 kg in the capsinoid and placebo groups, respectively. There was no significant group difference in total change in adiposity, but abdominal adiposity decreased more in the capsinoid group (−1.11%) than in the placebo group (−0.18%), and this change correlated with the change in body weight. Changes in resting energy expenditure did not differ significantly between groups, but fat oxidation was higher at the end of the study in the capsinoid group.




image Clinical Applications for Topical Preparations


Modern clinical use of cayenne pepper has focused on the use of topical capsaicin-containing preparations. Commercial ointments containing 0.025% or 0.075% capsaicin are available over the counter. These preparations may offer significant benefits in a number of conditions, including the pain associated with pain disorders, diabetic neuropathy, cluster headache, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, topically applied capsaicin may be useful in psoriasis.



Postherpetic Neuralgia


The first studies and approved use for topically applied capsaicin were in relieving postherpetic neuralgia. Numerous studies now document this Food and Drug Administration–approved application. For example, in one study, 39 patients with chronic postherpetic neuralgia (average duration 24 months) were treated with 0.025% capsaicin cream for 8 weeks. During therapy, the patients rated their pain. Nineteen patients (48.7%) substantially improved after the 8-week trial; 5 (12.8%) discontinued therapy due to side effects, such as intolerable capsaicin-induced burning sensations (4) or mastitis (1); and 15 (38.5%) reported no benefit. The decrease in pain ratings was significant after 2 weeks of continuous application. Of the responders, 72.2% still reported improvement 10 to 12 months after the study, with most continuing to apply the cream regularly.


In general, the results of this study were consistent with other studies (i.e., about 50% of people with postherpetic neuralgia responded to topically applied capsaicin [0.025%]).16,2024 Although this might not be a great response, it was better than the 10% response noted in the placebo group. Higher concentration (0.075% vs 0.025%) might produce better results (as high as 75% response).25 Another study showed that capsaicin responders were characterized by higher average daily pain, higher allodynia ratings, and relatively preserved sensory function at baseline compared with nonresponders. In three of the “capsaicin responders,” the area of allodynia expanded into previously nonallodynic and nonpainful skin that had normal sensory function and cutaneous innervation.26

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Sep 12, 2016 | Posted by in MANUAL THERAPIST | Comments Off on Capsicum frutescens (Cayenne Pepper)

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