| Abstract (croatian) | Capsaicinoids (capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin,
homodihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, norcapsaicin and
nornorcapsaicin) are alkaloids present in Capsicum species responsible for their
pungency. In addition, peppers are rich sources of carotenoids, vitamins C and
E, and as such, have a wide application in food, medicine and pharmacy. Capsaicin is the most important and the most abundant capsaicinoid. It has
been extensively studied for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anorexic
and anticancer activity. lt has been shown that capsaicin alter expression of
several genes involved in cancer survival, growth arrest, angiogenesis and metastasis.
Its analgesic and pro-apoptotic activity is mediated by transient receptor
potential subfamily vanilloid member 1 receptor (TRPVl), while anti-obesity
activity is a consequence of expressional changes of neuropeptide Y and cholecystokinin
in the arcuate and paraventricular nuclei of hypothalamus. On the
other hand, the anticancer activity is mediated through the direct interaction of
capsaicin with key signaling molecules of the cytoplasmic, mitochondrial and
metabolic survival pathways. Various patches, plasters, creams and capsules
with capsaicin or chili pepper extracts are available in the pharmaceutical market. |
