title: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Capsicum baccatum: from traditional use to scientific approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peppers from Capsicum species (Solanaceae) are native to Central and South America, and are commonly used as food and also for a broad variety of medicinal applications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The red pepper Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum is widely consumed in Brazil, but there are few reports in the literature of studies on its chemical composition and biological properties. In this study the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Capsicum baccatum were evaluated and the total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antioxidant property was assayed by scavenging abilities using DPPH and the anti-inflammatory activity was tested through the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in mice. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ethanolic and butanol extracts (200mg/kg, p.o.) presented a significant anti-inflammatory activity toward carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in mice in comparison to dexamethasone (0.5mg/kg, s.c.). Among the parameters evaluated, the treatment with these samples inhibited leukocyte migration and reduced the formation of exudate. The contents of flavonoids and total phenolic compounds could be correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities observed for Capsicum baccatum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that Capsicum baccatum contains potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds which could be tested as drug candidates against oxidative and inflammation-related pathological processes in medicinal chemistry studies.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga 2752, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Rigon
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miron
authors.forename: Elfrides
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schapoval
authors.forename: Jarbas Rodrigues de
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gosmann
mesh_terms: D020001:1-Butanol / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry; D002351:Carrageenan; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D005609:Free Radicals; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D020001:1-Butanol; D002351:Carrageenan