Capsaicin is a double edged chemical that is responsible for making peppers spicy.
Functional Groups
Risks
Side Effects
Common
Stinging
Burning
Swelling
Dryness
Coughing
Sneezing
Eye Watering
Less Common
Difficulty Breathing
Sore Throat
Tightness in Chest
Blurred Vision
Pounding in Ears
Slow or Fast Heartbeat
Possible Carcinogen
Studies have been conducted to test the carcinogenic potential of capsaicin. Some tumors appeared in the mice but because of various factors, it was unclear whether or not the tumors were directly from the capsaicin. Although the results were not completely conclusive, this is still important information because capsaicin is being tested as a tumor reducer and is used to relieve pain.
Damage of Mitochondria
Capsaicin causes a reduction in C fibre neuron sensitiveness. Capsaicin allows the entrance of Ca2+ ions which overwhelm the mitochondria, resulting in malfunctioning mitochondria.
Benefits
Helps Overactive Bladder
C fiber neurons are needed as a defense mechanism to eliminate negative bacteria in our bodies, but the signals the neurons provide can also trigger over reactivity. Capsaicin is a neurotoxin that works to desensitize there C fiber neurons, thus leading to treatment for an overactive bladder.
Potential Anti-Carcinogen
Capsaicin is a possible aid in the reduction of breast cancer tumor cells. According to a recent study, the use of capsaicin prevented the breast cancer cells from migrating, and, in some cases, decreased the size of the tumors by as much as 50%. There also was not evidence of toxicity.
Reduction of Smoker's Cough
Smoking increases vascular permeability, which is the ability of a blood vessel wall to allow external particles to enter the vessel. This effect is known as neurogenic inflammation. In a recent study, it was shown that Capsaicin pretreatment helped to reduce this effect, which reduced coughing in patients.
Pain Relief
To help relieve pain, topical capsaicin reduces the amount of substance P released by peripheral receptors and sent to the central nervous system. Substance P is a neuropeptide involved in the transference of pain signals throughout the body. Therefore, with decreased pain signals, accompanies pain relief. It has been proven to help treat the following: rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, diabetic neuropathy, and muscle sprains.
Conclusion
References
"Capsaicin (Topical Route)." (n.d.): n. pag. MayoClinic. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
Capzasin P Arthritis Pain Relief. Digital image. GoPixPic. Ddccdn.com, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Chancellor, Michael B., and William C. DeGroat. "INTRAVESICAL CAPSAICIN AND RESINIFERATOXIN THERAPY: SPICING UP THE WAYS TO TREAT THE OVERACTIVE BLADDER." The Journal of Urology 162.1 (1999): 3-11. Science Direct. Elsevier Inc, 16 Nov. 2005. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
Forst, T., et al. "The Influence of Local Capsaicin Treatment on Small Nerve Fibre Function and Neurovascular Control in Symptomatic Diabetic Neuropathy." Acta Diabetologica 39.1 (2002): 1-6. ProQuest. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Lundberg, Jan M., and Alois Saria. "Apsaicin-induced Desensitization of Airway Mucosa to Cigarette Smoke, Mechanical and Chemical Irritants." Letters to Nature 302 (1983): 251-53. Nature. Nature Publishing Group, 17 Mar. 1983. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Millqvist, Eva, and M. Bende. "Capsaicin Cough Sensitivity Is Decreased in Smokers." Respiratory Medicine 95.1 (2001): 19-21. Science Direct. Harcourt Publishers Ltd., 12 Mar. 2002. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
"Patient Study Highlighting Intranasal Capsaicin as an Effective Treatment Option for Rapid Pain Relief of Severe Headaches and Migraine to be Presented at 66th Annual American Academy of Neurology Meeting." PR NewswireApr 30 2014. ProQuest.Web. 12 Nov. 2014 .
Pure Capsaicin. Digital image. Essential Oil. Essential Oil Inc, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Surh, Y. J., and S. S. Lee. "Capsaicin in Hot Chili Pepper: Carcinogen, Co-carcinogen or Anticarcinogen?" Food and Chemical Toxicology 34.3 (1996): 313-16. Science Direct. Elsevier Ltd., 2 Mar. 1999. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Thoennissen, N. H., J. O'Kelly, and D. Lu. "Capsaicin Causes Cell-cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in ER-positive and -negative Breast Cancer Cells by Modulating the EGFR/HER-2 Pathway." Oncogene 29 (2009): 285-96. Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 26 Oct. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
Winter, J., S. Bevan, and E. A. Campbell. ""Patient Study Highlighting Intranasal Capsaicin as an Effective Treatment Option for Rapid Pain Relief of Severe Headaches and Migraine to Be Presented at 66th Annual American Academy of Neurology Meeting." PR NewswireApr 30 2014. ProQuest. Web. 12 Nov. 2014 ." British Journal of Anasthesiae 75 (1995): 157-68. Print.
C
H
3
Ether
O
C
H
3
Alkene
N
Amide
Alcohol
H
Aromatic
O
H
C
3
It can be concluded that Capsaicin is a useful chemical with both benefits than implications.