Cayenne
Cayenne
Last Updated: Mar. 17, 2009
Scientific Name: Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annuum. Family: Solanaceae
Common Name: Capsicum, red pepper, hot pepper, African chillies, conoids, Tabasco pepper, paprika, pimiento, mexican chilies, longum, Louisiana long pepper
Clinical Summary
Derived from the fruit of Capsicum. Cayenne is among the most widely consumed culinary spice. Traditionally, it is used topically as a rubefacient, as a gargle for laryngitis and orally as a gastrointestinal stimulant. The active component is an irritant capsaicin which has been used in scientific studies to evaluate pain sensation. Adverse effect of topical administration is burning following contact with moist mucous membranes (1) (2). Phytochemical extracts of capsicum have been shown to exhibit more antioxidant activity than broccoli, carrot or spinach (3). Limited studies have evaluated oral supplementation with capsicum for burning mouth syndrome, however, significant side effects were found (17). In vitro studies have shown that capsaicin may have cytotoxic action against multidrug resistant lymphoma (4) and oral tumor cell lines (5) and may inhibit leukemia cell growth (6). Topical capsaicin may alleviate oral mucositis pain associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy (7). Capsaicin cream has been shown to be effective in reducing post-surgical pain in cancer patients (8) as well as for treating psoriasis (9) and pruritus (10). A systematic review of clinical trials suggests that capsicum may be effective in treating low back pain (18). Use of gloves is recommended when applying topically. Toxicities following overdoses from oral include gastroenteritis and renal damage (11). There are reports of erythematous dermatitis formed in infants subsequent to breast-feeding from mothers who had ingested food flavored with red pepper (12). Administration of even a single dose of capsicum may interfere with theophylline metabolism (13).
Food Sources
The fruit of the capsicum pepper.
Purported uses
# Burning mouth syndrome
# Circulatory disorders
# Colic
# Diabetic neuropathy
# Diarrhea
# Headaches
# Herpes zoster neuropathy
# High cholesterol
# Motion sickness
# Muscle pain
# Osteoarthritis
# Rheumatoid arthritis
# Spasms
# Stomach and intestinal gas
# Toothache
Constituents
# Capsaicinoids: capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin
# Volatile oils: trace amounts
# Proteins
# Carotenoid pigments: capsanthin, capsorubin, carotene, lutein
# Vitamins including A and C.
(2) (14)
Mechanism of Action
The phenolic compound capsaicin is responsible for the powerful irritant effects of capsicum (1). Capsicum pepper has powerful antioxidant activity. 100g of the pepper was shown to have the equivalent antioxidant activity of 826 mg of vitamin C (3). The active components in capsicum may have anticarcinogenesis activities (15). The pain relief of capsaicin is thought to come from its ability to desensitize neurons when applied to the skin surface (7).
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
The active component capsaicin is absorbed through the skin, mucus membrane and in the G.I. tract. Capsaicin produces motor effects on gut motility that may affect the absorption of itself or other drugs. Capsaicin may affect the ability to absorb drugs via an alternate pathway than Cytochrome P450 (13).
Warnings
Use of gloves is recommended when applying topically.
Adverse Reactions
Common (oral): GI irritation (17) , sweating, flushing, lacrimation, rhinorrhea
Toxicity (oral): Gastroenteritis, renal damage
Common (topical): Burning, urticaria, contact dermatitis (11)
Herb-Drug Interactions
# Theophylline: Concurrent administration may increase absorption (13).
# ACE inhibitors:Oral or topical administration may increase the incidence of cough that is associated with ACE inhibitors.
# Sedatives: May increase sedation. Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors: May increase catecholamine secretion.
# Antihypertensives: May increase catecholamine secretion and antagonize hypotensive effects.
# Acetaminophen: May increase the absorption of acetaminophen. (16)
©2009 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Votes:3
Comments: 0