Search Results (591)

Background/Objectives: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic idiopathic orofacial pain disorder characterized by persistent intraoral burning in the absence of detectable mucosal alterations. Diagnosis is challenging due to the lack of specific biomarkers and the need to exclude numerous systemic and local conditions that can mimic oral burning. This literature review aims to summarize current and emerging therapeutic strategies for BMS. Methods: A structured and filtered search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies evaluating pharmacological, phytotherapeutic, and non-pharmacological interventions. Results: Various antidepressants, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, H2 receptor antagonists, and low-dose naltrexone have demonstrated varying degrees of symptom reduction, while alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and phytomedicines such as capsaicin, Hypericum perforatum, Catuama, lycopene, crocin, and melatonin show mixed clinical benefits. Non-pharmacological approaches, including photobiomodulation (PBM), oral cryotherapy, neuromodulation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy, also provide meaningful symptom improvement in many patients. Conclusions: Across all modalities, therapeutic responses remain heterogeneous and generally incomplete, underscoring the absence of a universally effective treatment. Current evidence supports an individualized and multidisciplinary approach that integrates pharmacological, psychological, and adjunctive therapies to address the multifactorial nature of BMS. Full article

Natural products are widely used in the treatment of cancer due to the side effects of chemotherapeutics, and a large number of natural compounds have been reported to have anticancer activities in different types of cancer. The aim of the study was to analyze the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of capsaicin and alpha-lipoic acid on prostate cancer cells in silico and in vitro. The effects of capsaicin and alpha-lipoic acid on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells were assessed using MTT cell viability assays. Apoptotic protein levels were measured using Western blot analysis. Ligand–protein potential interactions of alpha-lipoic acid and capsaicin with survivin and bax proteins were examined using CB-Dock2 and SwissDock software. Capsaicin and alpha-lipoic acid significantly inhibited the proliferation of both prostate cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Our data revealed that various concentrations of capsaicin, alpha-lipoic acid and their combinations caused remarkable downregulation of survivin expression on prostate cancer cells. According to the Vina scores, alpha-lipoic acid and capsaicin have the potential to interact strongly with survivin and bax proteins. We suggest that both natural compounds have the potential for treating prostate cancer according to the in vitro and in silico results. Full article

Adiponectin is adipokine exhibiting beneficial metabolic action through lipid and carbohydrate metabolism stimulation, as well as anti-inflammatory action. We have determined the role of adiponectin in gastroprotection against the formation of acute gastric lesions induced by ischemia–reperfusion (I/R). Gastric lesions evoked by I/R are a serious clinical entity; however, the participation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products and the involvement of nitric oxide (NO), neuropeptides released from sensory afferent nerves, and the hormone gastrin in the potential gastroprotective action of adiponectin remains unknown. Therefore, we determined the interplay between capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves, the NO/NOS system, lipid peroxidation products, and the expression of pro-inflammatory and antioxidative factors in the gastroprotective action of adiponectin against gastric I/R. injury. Wistar rats was administered with adiponectin in graded doses (1–40 μg/kg i.v.) with or without: (a) blockade of nitric oxide (NO) activity by L-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and (b) deactivation of sensory nerves by capsaicin (125 mg/kg s.c. 10 days before experiment conduction). They were then exposed to 30 min of ischemia by clamping of the celiac artery followed by 3 h of reperfusion after clamp release. After 3 h, the rats were euthanized with pentobarbital and their gastric blood flow (GBF) was determined by laser Doppler flowmetry, their blood was withdrawn to assess plasma gastrin levels, and the area of gastric lesions was measured by planimetry. Gastric biopsy samples were excised to determine gastric mucosal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). In separate groups of animals with chronic gastric fistula, the effect of adiponectin on gastric acid secretion was determined. Adiponectin dose-dependently reduced the gastric lesions induced by I/R and this effect was accompanied by an increase in GBF. Blockade of NO-synthase with L-NNA (20 mg/kg i.p.) reversed the protective effect and the rise in GBF induced by this adipokine, and both these effects were restored when L-arginine was added to L-NNA. Capsaicin denervation also impeded the beneficial action of adiponectin in rats, but these effects were in part restored when exogenous CGRP was combined with adiponectin. Adiponectin dose-dependently decreased gastric acid secretion, the expression of mRNA for pro-inflammatory cytokines, and MDA plus 4-HNE content, while significantly increasing SOD, GSH and plasma gastrin increments. We conclude that adiponectin exerts gastroprotection against I/R-induced gastric lesions, through mechanisms involving NO and neuropeptides such as CGRP being released from sensory nerves, a decrease in lipid peroxidation (MDA+4-HNE), an increase of antioxidative factors (SOD, GSH), and the inhibition of gastric acid secretion. Full article

Heat stress (HS) poses a significant stress challenge to growing lambs, impacting growth performance, health, and physiological responses. The study evaluated feeding an essential oil blend (EOB) on growth performance, physiological and blood parameters, oxidative, and immune responses. Thirty-two 3 mo old female (BW 18.6 ± 2.43 kg) crossbred (Mongolian × Thin-tailed Han F1) lambs were randomly assigned to either: (1) control (CON)—grain mix without EOB; or (2) EOB—an EOB blend supplemented at 4 g/kg grain mix. The EOB blend was comprised of 4.34% Zanthoxylum, 1% capsicum, and 1.06% cinnamon oils with 93.6% attapulgite carrier containing linalool, sabinene, limonene, capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Extreme heat stress occurred for 39 out of the 45 d experiment. Feeding HS lambs EOB increased (p < 0.05) ADG (107.4 and 162.0 g/d for CON and EOB, respectively), forage intake (239.2 and 287.0 g/d), DMI (863.1 and 930.2 g/d), and feed efficiency (0.123 and 0.181 ADG, g/DMI, g) compared with lambs fed CON. Feeding EOB reduced (p < 0.01) respiration rates (RR) and rectal (RT) and skin temperatures (ST) compared to CON-fed lambs. Lambs fed EOB had a higher T-SOD activity and IgM concentration (0.05 < p < 0.10) than CON-fed lambs. Growing heat-stressed lambs fed EOB demonstrated a lower (p < 0.05) eosinophil percentage. Feeding EOB ameliorated HS conditions for growing crossbred lambs, which demonstrate improved growth performance, enhanced physiological responses, and overall health status. Full article

The present study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of two newly synthesized 1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives, designated DSZ-13 and DSZ-19. To achieve the desired result, the in vitro XTT cell proliferation assay, serotonin 5-HT_1A receptor affinity and COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme inhibition potential of the compounds were conducted by real-time qPCR. Non-compartmental analysis was used to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the compounds in serum and brain tissue. The analgesic activity was evaluated using various in vivo pain models, encompassing acute pain (hot plate test), tonic pain (formalin test), neurogenic pain (capsaicin test), carrageenan-induced acute inflammation, and neuropathic pain models. Both compounds showed moderate affinity for serotonin 5-HT_1A receptors, a lack of cytotoxic activity, desirable pharmacokinetic parameters and slightly reduced mRNA expression for COX-1 and COX-2. Only the DSZ-19 revealed central/supraspinal analgesic activity and did not affect movement. Both compounds attenuated tonic and neurogenic pain, in the formalin and capsaicin tests, respectively. In addition, the involvement of the 5-HT_1A receptors in the formalin test was confirmed. Both compounds also showed antiallodynic activity in the oxaliplatin- and streptozotocin-induced neuropathy models. Slightly weaker than indomethacin, DSZ-13 and DSZ-19 attenuated carrageenan-induced inflammation (edema) and hyperalgesia in rat models. Full article

Magnetic nanoparticles, with their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, serve as ideal materials for constructing targeted drug delivery systems. Iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, controllably prepared via methods such as solvothermal synthesis, can be combined with mesoporous silica to construct magnetically steerable nanorobots. Such robots enable efficient drug loading and precise delivery. To address challenges in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including the significant side effects of systemic drugs and the low oral bioavailability and poor colonic targeting of novel food-derived drugs (e.g., capsaicin with anti-inflammatory activity), this study designed capsaicin-loaded iron oxide-mesoporous silica composite nanorobots (Cap-M@mSbots). Driven by a rotating gradient magnetic field of up to 80 mT, Cap-M@mSbots achieve large-scale emergent collective locomotion, with a maximum collective locomotion velocity reaching 180.7 μm/s, and are capable of long-distance movement overcoming millimeter-scale obstacles. This system can be actively propelled to colonic lesion sites under magnetic guidance, achieving targeted drug enrichment and sustained release, thereby offering a novel strategy for the targeted therapy of IBD. Full article

Water scarcity and soil salinization are major challenges for sustainable agriculture in arid regions, affecting crop growth, yield, and quality. In greenhouse systems, optimizing irrigation and nutrient management under brackish (slightly to moderately saline) irrigation water (1–5 g L⁻¹) is essential for maintaining productivity and resource efficiency. This study investigated the effects of irrigation water salinity, irrigation volume, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium application on growth, yield, fruit quality, and water–nutrient use efficiency of greenhouse-grown pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. ‘Qilin 99’) in southern Xinjiang. A five-factor, five-level half-fractional quadratic orthogonal rotatable design was employed. Pepper yield showed a unimodal response to increasing salinity, peaking at 3 g L⁻¹ with 4800 m³ ha⁻¹ irrigation and N, P₂O₅, K₂O rates of 225, 160, and 500 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Water use efficiency and fertilizer partial factor productivity decreased significantly with increasing salinity and irrigation amount, reaching maximum under moderate irrigation water mineralization combined with low and medium irrigation levels, respectively. Fruit quality traits, including vitamin C, capsaicin, and free amino acids, were enhanced under moderate to relatively high salinity levels, whereas fruit size and single fruit weight were highest at lower salinity combined with higher irrigation. Irrigation water salinity was identified as the main limiting factor for yield and quality. Overall, greenhouse pepper exhibited a nonlinear dual-threshold response to combined water, nutrient, and salinity management, with an optimal threshold around 3 g L⁻¹. These findings provide practical guidance for improving water and nutrient use efficiency in greenhouse agriculture under slightly saline irrigation. Full article

The Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) is the main crop of the Yucatán Peninsula and is recognized and distinguished from other Habanero peppers cultivated elsewhere in the world due to its aroma, flavor, and high pungency, which is conferred by a group of compounds called capsaicinoids. These compounds are in high demand by various industries due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to quantify capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin contents in 29 Habanero pepper hybrids cultivated under greenhouse conditions in Yucatán and to evaluate their pungency potential. Capsaicinoids were extracted from mature fruits using acetonitrile and quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Capsaicin concentrations ranged from 19.95 to 73.55 mg g⁻¹ dry weight (DW), while dihydrocapsaicin varied from 4.57 to 14.36 mg g⁻¹ DW. Total capsaicinoid content differed significantly among hybrids, ranging from 27.33 to 85.05 mg g⁻¹ DW, corresponding to pungency levels between 439,979 and 1,369,360 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Hybrids H14, H15, and H3 exhibited exceptionally high pungency, exceeding 1.1 × 10⁶ SHU. The wide variability observed under uniform growing conditions indicates pronounced genotype-dependent differences in capsaicinoid accumulation and identifies promising hybrid materials for breeding programs and agro-industrial applications requiring elevated capsaicinoid content. Full article

Cellulite, a multifactorial condition affecting approximately 98% of women, is characterised by dermal and subcutaneous architectural changes that compromise skin texture and elasticity. Its progression is closely linked to hormonal, vascular, and inflammatory factors, as well as ageing-related extracellular matrix degradation. This review critically evaluates bioactive compounds incorporated into topical and minimally invasive formulations for the management of cellulite and skin rejuvenation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases and cosmetic ingredient repositories, focusing on active ingredients with demonstrated efficacy in enhancing skin structure. Key compounds include capsaicin, forskolin, L-carnitine, caffeine, retinol, and extracts from plants such as Centella asiatica, which act via lipolysis, improved circulation, and antioxidant effects. Minimally invasive agents, such as deoxycholic acid and poly-L-lactic acid, complement these strategies by inducing adipocytolysis and neocollagenesis, thereby improving skin firmness and contour. Evidence indicates that multi-active formulations combining lipolytic agents with antioxidants and collagen-stimulating molecules yield synergistic benefits, reducing adipose protrusion and improving skin firmness. However, heterogeneity in study design and the lack of standardised evaluation methods limit firm conclusions. Further studies should validate efficacy and optimise delivery. Integrated topical and injectable therapies represent a promising, multifunctional approach to addressing cellulite and age-related skin changes. Full article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of capsaicin (CAP) on lipid metabolism in weaned piglets and its related mechanisms. Twenty-four weaned piglets with an initial body weight of 9.00 ± 0.30 kg were randomly divided into three groups, with eight replicates in each group. The control (CON) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) groups were fed a basal diet, while the LPS and capsaicin group (LCA) received the basal diet supplemented with 4 mg/kg pure capsaicin (delivered via 800 mg/kg additive) for 35 days. About 4 h before sampling, piglets in the LPS and LCA groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS at a dose of 100 μg/kg body weight, while those in the CON group were intraperitoneally injected with the same dose of normal saline. In this study, we found that the addition of 800 mg/kg CAP to the diet of piglets significantly reduced the accumulation of serum triglyceride (TG), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and liver fat, and that CAP up-regulates expression of genes and proteins in the PPARα pathway, consistent with enhanced fatty acid oxidation. The intervention with 4 mg/kg CAP was also found to down-regulate cholesterol synthesis precursors (such as mevalonate, MVA), reduce pro-inflammatory phospholipids (such as phosphatidic acid–phosphatidylcholine, PA–PC), and modulate bile acid metabolism, thereby beneficially regulating blood lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-C) and disrupting the “lipid metabolism–inflammation” interaction cycle. Furthermore, CAP promoted fatty acid β-oxidation and bile acid metabolism by activating the TRPV1 channel, which alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation. These findings indicated that CAP has potential application value in improving lipid metabolism, intestinal health, and immune function in weaned piglets. However, its long-term safety and dose-dependent effects require further investigation. Full article

This narrative historical review assesses the relationship between personality traits and the preference for spicy foods. While genetic, cultural, and personality factors have all been shown to influence taste preferences, the evidence that has been published to date suggests that personality plays a greater role in the liking and consumption of spicy food than for those basic tastes linked to the essential elements of a healthy diet. Archaeological and historical data illustrate the global dissemination and cultural integration of Capsicum into the human diet. Meanwhile, physiological and psychophysical research highlight that the pungent quality of capsaicin, together with the gustatory and olfactory cues associated with the flavour of chilli, affects hedonic evaluation, with repeated exposure often increasing acceptance through a process of desensitisation. Developmental factors, such as prenatal taste/flavour transmission and benign risk learning during childhood, underpin adult preferences. Cross-cultural studies reveal that the tolerance for pungency varies by country/culture and is also markedly shaped by personality traits. Recent social media trends have also increased some people’s exposure to very spicy foods, linked to their sensation-seeking tendencies. As such, those theories that focus solely on biological sensitivity and cultural exposure likely fail to capture personality-driven factors like sensation seeking and reward sensitivity that drive the liking for spicy foods. Full article

Fruit size and pungency are key yield and quality traits in chili. This study combines high-throughput genotyping with bulk segregant analysis (BSA) to identify candidate SNPs and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) by analyzing extreme phenotypes from a Ghotki × Chakwal-4 F2 population. The traits were fruit length, diameter, length-to-diameter ratio, and weight, along with capsaicin content. Significant correlations were observed among length, diameter, and length-to-diameter ratio. A total of 534 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers were used to develop genetic maps from 4315 to 6607 cM long. The SNP frequency data was pooled for the 25% of individuals showing extreme values for each measured trait, and bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was performed. BSA identified high-scoring SNPs associated with pungency (SNP 1_41308232; SNP 12_104377148), fruit length (SNP 1_92509300; SNP 6_218780813), and fruit weight (SNP 6_100989762 and SNP 6_138660974). Genetic mapping identified twelve pungency QTLs, three for fruit length, two for fruit diameter, two for the length-to-diameter ratio, and thirteen for fruit weight. Overlapping QTL regions on chromosome 6 influence fruit length, fruit width, and capsaicin content, indicating potential pleiotropy and offering promising targets for multi-trait selection in chili breeding. The study identifies key SNPs and QTLs that simultaneously influence chili fruit size and pungency, providing valuable targets for multi-trait breeding. Full article

Background: Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of lifestyle-related diseases, and dietary phytochemicals are recognized as important modulators of inflammatory responses. However, the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of phytochemical combinations and their underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activities of menthol (ME), 1,8-cineole (CI), β-eudesmol (EU), and capsaicin (CA) were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Pro-inflammatory gene expression was quantified by quantitative PCR, intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling was assessed by calcium imaging, and the involvement of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels was examined using selective inhibitors. Synergistic effects were analyzed based on changes in half-maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀). Results: All compounds suppressed LPS-induced pro-inflammatory genes, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf) and interleukin-6 (Il6), in a dose-dependent manner, with CA showing the lowest EC₅₀ for Tnf expression (0.087 µM). Notably, combinations of CA with ME or CI exhibited strong synergy, reducing their EC₅₀ values by 699-fold and 154-fold, respectively, without cytotoxicity. These effects likely resulted from the synergic interaction between ME/CI-induced TRP-mediated signaling and CA-activated, TRP-independent signaling. Conclusions: Specific combinations of plant-derived functional components can markedly enhance anti-inflammatory efficacy, supporting dietary strategies that harness multiple phytochemicals for inflammation control and disease prevention. Full article

Background/Objectives: The quality of dried chili peppers is critically influenced by geographical origin, yet the metabolic basis for these differences remains insufficiently explored. This study sought to elucidate the region-specific metabolic profiles and their association with key quality traits in the pepper cultivar ‘Hong Guan 6’. Methods: Fruits harvested from three major cultivation regions in China were analyzed. We quantified fat and capsaicinoid content and employed an integrated LC-MS and GC-MS untargeted metabolomics approach to characterize the metabolite composition. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to identify differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) and uncover their related biochemical pathways. Results: Significant regional variations in fat and capsaicinoid content were observed, with peppers from Pengzhou (PZ) exhibiting the highest capsaicin levels. Metabolomic profiling revealed 529 metabolites that were significantly more abundant in PZ samples. These metabolites were enriched in several key pathways, including beta-alanine metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and N-glycan biosynthesis. Specifically, elevated levels of β-alanine and malonate in the beta-alanine metabolism pathway were detected in PZ and Anyue (AY) samples, suggesting a potential biochemical mechanism for their enhanced fat synthesis. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that geographical origin significantly reprograms the pepper metabolome, directly impacting quality attributes. The results provide crucial insights into the biochemical mechanisms, particularly those involving beta-alanine metabolism, that underpin the differences in critical quality traits such as fat content. Full article

This study investigated the effects of encapsulated capsaicinoids (CAPs), containing 0.47% capsaicin and 0.22% dihydrocapsaicin, on growth, serum parameters, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health in weaned piglets. A total of 168 piglets were randomly assigned to four groups: a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 200 (LDC), 400 (MDC), or 600 (HDC) mg/kg of CAPs. The results indicated that CAPs improved lipid metabolism, evidenced by higher crude fat digestibility in the LDC and MDC groups and reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in all CAP groups compared to the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the MDC and HDC groups. Histological analysis showed reduced hepatic vacuolation, enlarged fungiform papillae with shallower taste pores in the tongue epithelium, and deeper ileal crypts in the LDC group. At the molecular level, ZO-1 expression in the ileum was significantly upregulated in LDC piglets. Colonic microbiota analysis revealed decreased relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut, while Butyricicoccus was significantly enriched in the LDC group. In conclusion, CAPs supplementation enhanced fat digestibility, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, intestinal development, and colonic microbiota composition, with the 200 mg/kg dose showing the most pronounced effects. Full article