In patients with heartburn, capsaicin (5 mg in
gelatin capsules) taken 30 min before meals
was no different than placebo in effects on
dyspepsia, heartburn scores, gastric pH, and
gastric emptying, yet it enhanced heartburn
by shortening the time to peak heartburn
following a meal.^34
TOXICOLOGY
Capsicum is a powerful local stimulant; its
oleoresin or active principles (capsaicin) are
strongly irritant to the eyes, tender skin, and
mucous membranes, producing an intense
burning sensation (MARTINDALE).
Cardio-respiratory arrests, seizures, and
subsequent death of an 8-month-old infant
was associated with the administration of a
tea prepared from powdered red pepper.^35
The safety of pepper sprays that contain
high amounts of capsaicinoids for use in riot
control and self-defense products is contro-
versial^36 and is associated with death and
respiratory failure in animals and people.
Inhalation exposure of rats to capsaicinoids
resulted in acute respiratory inflammation and
dose-related damage to alveolar, bronchial,
nasal and tracheal cells, and death of respira-
tory epithelial cells.^37
Following a body of conflicting results, the
carcinogenity and genotoxicity of capsicum
and capsaicin are controversial (DE SMET;
ROSENGARTEN; TERRELL).38–41 However, the
evidence suggests that whereas capsaicin in
large amounts taken over a long time may be
carcinogenic, in low amounts it appears to act
as an anticarcinogen.^42
The oral LD 50 of capsaicin mice is
190 mg/kg,^43 which is 190 times the human
consumption in tropical countries.^44
The no-observed-adverse-effect level
(NOAEL) of paprika color in rats of either
sex is 5% of the diet.^45
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Capsicum tincture and oleoresin are used in
topical counterirritant preparations to treat
arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, lumbago,and
chilblains; also used in certain preparations
for stopping thumb sucking or nail biting in
children.Food. Capsicum,inwholeandgroundforms,
is widely used as a spice.
Capsicum and its extracts and oleoresin
are widely used in food products, including
alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, frozen
dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins
and pudding, meat and meat products, and
condiments and relishes, among others. High-
est average maximum use levels are reported
in alcoholic beverages for the oleoresin and
extract, 0.09% and 0.12%, respectively.
Paprika and its oleoresin are primarily used
as a colorant in all the above food categories to
impart a yellow to orange color.Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Used
as a synergistic ingredient in various herbal
formulas, including general tonics, laxatives,
sedatives, and hay fever remedies (FOSTER;
LUST).Traditional Medicine. Capsicum has been
used internally to treat diarrhea, cramps, colic,
toothache, sore throat, laryngitis, asthma,
pneumonia, flatulence, poor appetite, and
other ailments; externally as a counterirritant
in rheumatism, arthritis, lumbago, neuralgia,
cold injuries (chilbains), and others (DE SMET;
ROSENGARTEN;TERRELL NADKARNI;NEWALL).Others. The oleoresin of the fruit is used in
spray-delivered riot control and self-defense
products (pepper sprays).^46COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONSCrude, capsicum oleoresin, and extracts (e.g.,
tincture), and paprika oleoresin. Both capsi-
cum oleoresin and tincture were formerly
official in N.F. and U.S.P.; pungency is deter-
mined by a taste test and is generally ex-
pressed in Scoville units. Paprika oleoresin
comes in various color strengths.134 Capsicum