Effect of red peppers (Capsicum frutescens) intake during gestation on thermonociceptive response of rat offspring.
Oral administration of aqueous red pepper (Capsicum frutescens, Cf) solution and low capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) doses during gestation produces an increase in the latency of the thermonociceptive escape response of rat offspring. The present work shows that different amounts of Cf (10%, 25% and 50%) incorporated to normal food of gestating rats modify in a dose-dependent manner the flexion reflex latency (R), as well as the latency of appearance of antialgesic behaviours expressed as paw lick (P) and escape response (E) using the hot plate test (53 degrees C+/-0.5 degrees C). The latency of the same parameters was tested in the same subjects 55 days later to determine the persistence of this effect. Results show an increase in latency of the three parameters R, P and E in all experimental groups with respect to controls. Animals (Cf, 25% group) tested 55 days after the first test exhibited latencies similar to controls, which suggests that the process is reversible.
Pellicer
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Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría and Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad LaSalle, Ave. México-Xochimilco 101, 14370, México, DF, Mexico. pellicer@neuroserver.imp-neuro.edu.mx
Picazo
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León-Olea
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D000818:Animals; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002212:Capsicum; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000187:drug effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D002211:Capsaicin