Comparative anti-inflammatory properties of Capsaicin and ethyl-aAcetate extract of Capsicum frutescens linn [Solanaceae] in rats.
BACKGROUND
The analgesic effect of capsaicin (the active ingredient in Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae]) had been reported in several studies. Current research is being directed at producing analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents with better side effect profile.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate if either the ethyl acetate extract of Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae] (CFE) or capsaicin (Fluka Biotechnika-CPF) (in addition to the known analgesic properties) has any anti-inflammatory effect comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDS).


METHODS
The effects of ethyl acetate extract of Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae] (CFE) and capsaicin (Fluka Biotechnika-CPF) was examined on rat hind paw. Inflammation was induced in the rat's hind paw by subplantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg). Diclofenac (100 mg/kg) was used as the reference anti-inflammatory agent for comparison, while distilled water was used as the placebo. The leucocytes count, corticosterone and C - reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured as biomarkers of inflammation. Data obtained were pooled and analysed using repeated ANOVA, in a general linear model with the CPSS software.


RESULTS
Sub-plantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg) produced profound and time-related oedema in the rat hind paw of the 'control' rats. Diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and reference capsaicin (CPF, 2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited paw swelling at (p<0.05-0.001) (CI 95%) compared to distilled water-treated 'controls'. While the corticosterone levels were all very low in 7 rats treated with capsaicin, the leucocytes count was within normal range in 9 rats. However, in 16 specimens randomly assigned for CRP levels, there were very high CRP readings, up to a magnitude of 10 times the normal range.


CONCLUSIONS
Capsaicin in both forms (CFE and CPF) produced anti-inflammatory effects that were comparable to diclofenac in the experimental rat model at p<0.05. It may be concluded that capsaicin has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Department of Anaesthesia and ICU, Australia National University (ANU)/Goulburn Base Hospital. Senior Lecturer, Australia National University (Goulburn Base Campus), Goulburn City NSW, Australia.
A T
AT
Jolayemi
J A O
JA
Ojewole
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D019657:Solanaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
D000085:Acetates; D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; C007650:ethyl acetate; D002211:Capsaicin
Capsicum frutescens; anti-inflammation; capsaicin; ethylacetate extract; ‘chili’