Journal of Functional Foods (Aug 2019)

Capsaicin induces a protective effect on gastric mucosa along with decreased expression of inflammatory molecules in a gastritis model

  • Edgar J. Mendivil,
  • Ana Sandoval-Rodriguez,
  • Alejandra Meza-Ríos,
  • Lourdes Zuñiga-Ramos,
  • Alfredo Dominguez-Rosales,
  • Monica Vazquez-Del Mercado,
  • Laura Sanchez-Orozco,
  • Arturo Santos-Garcia,
  • Juan Armendariz-Borunda

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 59
pp. 345 – 351

Abstract

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Capsaicin (CPS) is a pungent compound found in Capsicum annuum that has shown anti-inflammatory properties. About 50% of the worldwide population suffer from gastrointestinal disorders and treatment guidelines restrict chili pepper consumption. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of CPS consumption on stomach mucosa, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) in gastric mucosa of two experimental models. The first one comprised healthy rats treated with vehicle or CPS 2 mg/kg during 8 weeks, to elucidate whether CPS induces inflammation of gastric mucosa. The second study included a 2-weeks gastritis model induced with oral acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) plus vehicle group, ASA+CPS group and healthy control rats to assess the protective effect of CPS. Histopathological and molecular analysis were performed on stomach samples. Our results showed a protective effect on gastric mucosa and a significant down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in both experimental models.

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