Capsaicin and Gastric Ulcers
- 1 May 2006
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
- Vol. 46 (4), 275-328
- https://doi.org/10.1080/1040-830491379236
Abstract
In recent years, infection of the stomach with the organism Helicobacter Pylori has been found to be the main cause of gastric ulcers, one of the common ailments afflicting humans. Excessive acid secretion in the stomach, reduction in gastric mucosal blood flow, constant intake of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), ethanol, smoking, stress etc. are also considered responsible for ulcer formation. The prevalent notion among sections of population in this country and perhaps in others is that “red pepper” popularly known as “Chilli,” a common spice consumed in excessive amounts leads to “gastric ulcers” in view of its irritant and likely acid secreting nature. Persons with ulcers are advised either to limit or avoid its use. However, investigations carried out in recent years have revealed that chilli or its active principle “capsaicin” is not the cause for ulcer formation but a “benefactor.” Capsaicin does not stimulate but inhibits acid secretion, stimulates alkali, mucus secretions and particularly gastric mucosal blood flow which help in prevention and healing of ulcers. Capsaicin acts by stimulating afferent neurons in the stomach and signals for protection against injury causing agents. Epidemiologic surveys in Singapore have shown that gastric ulcers are three times more common in the “Chinese” than among Malaysians and Indians who are in the habit of consuming more chillis. Ulcers are common among people who are in the habit of taking NSAIDS and are infected with the organism “Helicobacter Pylori,” responsible for excessive acid secretion and erosion of the mucosal layer. Eradication of the bacteria by antibiotic treatment and avoiding the NSAIDS eliminates ulcers and restores normal acid secretion.Keywords
This publication has 319 references indexed in Scilit:
- Capsaicin inhibits plasma membrane NADH oxidase and growth of human and mouse melanoma linesEuropean Journal of Cancer, 1996
- Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and insulin treatment on substance P of the rat arterial wallLife Sciences, 1996
- Protection by gastrin in the rat stomach involves afferent neurons, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and nitric oxideGastroenterology, 1995
- Effect of capsaicin and chilli on ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in the rat.Gut, 1995
- Role of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons in mucosal blood flow response of rat stomach induced by mild irritantsDigestive Diseases and Sciences, 1992
- Role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves in acid-induced bicarbonate secretion in rat stomachDigestive Diseases and Sciences, 1992
- Studies on capsaicin inhibition of chemically induced lipid peroxidation in the lung and liver tissues of ratPhytotherapy Research, 1992
- Mechanism of intragastric nicotine protection against ethanol-induced gastric injuryDigestive Diseases and Sciences, 1991
- Resiniferatoxin and its analogs provide novel insights into the pharmacology of the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptorLife Sciences, 1990
- Capsaicin pretreatment protects free radical induced rat lung damage on exposure to gaseous chemical lung irritantsPhytotherapy Research, 1989