Background: Capsaicin, a bioactive compound found in peppers, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-lipidemic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of capsaicin on atherosclerosis progression. Methods: Apolipoprotein E knockout mice and their C57BL/6 controls were utilized to assess blood lipid profile, inflammatory status, and atherosclerotic lesions. We also examined the influence of capsaicin on cholesterol influx and efflux, and the role of TRPV1 and PPARγ signaling pathways in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Results: Capsaicin treatment reduced weight gain, visceral adiposity, blood triglycerides, and total and non-HDL cholesterol. These improvements were associated with a reduction in atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and carotid. Capsaicin also improved hepatic oxidative and inflammatory status. Systemic inflammation was also reduced, as indicated by reduced leukocyte rolling and adhesion on the mesenteric plexus. Capsaicin decreased foam cell formation by reducing cholesterol influx through scavenger receptor A and increasing cholesterol efflux via ATP-binding cassette transporter A1, an effect primarily linked to TRPV1 activation. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of capsaicin as a promising agent for atherosclerosis prevention, highlighting its comprehensive role in modulating lipid metabolism, foam cell formation, and inflammatory responses.

Capsaicin, a lipophilic, volatile compound, is responsible for the pungent properties of chili peppers. In recent years, a significant increase in investigations into its properties has allowed the production of new formulations and the development of tools with biotechnological, diagnostic, and potential therapeutic applications. Most of these studies show beneficial effects, improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status, inducing thermogenesis, and reducing white adipose tissue. Other mechanisms, including reducing food intake and improving intestinal dysbiosis, are also described. In this way, the possible clinical application of such compound is expanding every year. This opinion article aims to provide a synthesis of recent findings regarding the mechanisms by which capsaicin participates in the control of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

Chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis is a major side effect of cancer treatment. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme reductase inhibitors used to treat hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that atorvastatin (ATV) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and resulting from the regulation of different molecular pathways. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ATV on intestinal homeostasis in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced mucositis. Our results showed that ATV protected the intestinal mucosa from epithelial damage caused by 5-FU mainly due to inflammatory infiltrate and intestinal permeability reduction, downregulation of inflammatory markers, such as Tlr4, MyD88, NF-κB, Tnf-a, Il1β, and Il6 dose-dependent. ATV also improved epithelial barrier function by upregulating the mRNA transcript levels of mucin 2 (MUC2), and ZO-1 and occludin tight junction proteins. The results suggest that the ATV anti-inflammatory and protective effects on 5-FU-induced mice mucositis involve the inhibition of the TLR4/MYD88/NPRL3/NF-κB, iNos, and caspase 3.

Arterial hypertension is a worldwide public health problem and the search for new medicines is one of the biggest challenges for the treatment of this pathology. Secondary metabolites of plants exhibit pharmacological properties of great phyto therapeutic interest. Cerrado is one of the largest biomes in Brazil and research with Cerrado plants as therapeutic resources is of growing interest. Our objective was to compile data regarding the Cerrado plants that already have some of their active compounds described and may potentially be used to treat arterial hypertension. We concluded that flavonoids, tannins, steroids and saponins exhibit important properties to low blood pressure. Thus, the species from Cerrado Brazilian such as pau-paraíba (Simarouba versicolor), pau-santo (Kielmeyera coriacea), abiu-do-cerrado (Pouteria torta), guarandi (Calophyllum brasiliense), bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba), puçá-amarelo (Mouriri elliptica), fava-de-anta (Dimorphandramollis), murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and cereja-do-cerrado (Eugenia calycina) are strong candidates for future herbal studies in this field.

Capsaicin, a lipophilic, volatile compound, is responsible for the pungent properties of chili peppers. In recent years, a significant increase in investigations into its properties has allowed the production of new formulations and the development of tools with biotechnological, diagnostic, and potential therapeutic applications. In this way, the possible clinical application of such compound is expanding every year. This opinion article aims to provide a synthesis of recent findings regarding the mechanisms by which capsaicin participates in the control of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. This opinion review also discusses the recent findings and clinical studies of the use of capsaicin in body weight control.