Pharmacological effects of fermented red pepper.
The pharmacological effects were investigated of fermented red pepper (HF-S), which consisted of 14.7% carbohydrate, 1.5% lipid, 4.9% protein, 0.3% ash, 78.2% moisture content, with 0.15% capsaicin and 0.06% dihydrocapsaicin. Oral administration of 0.25 mL HF-S for 3 weeks produced significant changes of the perirenal fat pad weight compared with the HF-control group, suggesting a suppressive effect on lipid accumulation and a significant decrease in the risk of arteriosclerosis. The HF-S (0.25 mL) group also showed a lower plasma TG, TC level and atherogenic index than that of the HF-control. In addition, the HF-S (0.25 mL) group showed a marked increase in the production of glutathione, which is the major endogenous antioxidant, and a decrease in the production of lipid peroxide as the product of chemical damage by oxygen free radicals. It is assumed that the effect of HF-S might relate to high glutathione production on the suppression of lipid peroxidation. HF-S stimulated not only the proliferation of macrophages (as high as the positive control, LPS at 1000 microg/mL) but also mitogenic activity (1.2-fold of LPS at 100 microg/mL).
Choi
Y M
YM
Department of Food Service and Industry, Shinsung College, Chungnam 343-860, Korea.
Suh
H J
HJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002212:Capsicum; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D005285:Fermentation; D005978:Glutathione / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014280:Triglycerides; D005978:Glutathione