**3.1 Effects of consumption pepper (***Capsicum annum***) and capsaicin on fear and anxiety in the elevated plus maze**

The open arm entry frequency of the pepper group was not significantly different compared to the control, whereas that of the capsaicin group was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to the control (**Figure 1a**). Both the pepper and capsaicin groups had significantly shorter (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively) open arm durations compared to the control (**Figure 1b**).

There was no significant difference in the head dips frequency of the pepperdiet fed mice compared to the control (**Figure 1c**). However, that of the capsaicindiet fed mice was significantly higher compared to the control (p < 0.01). While the stretch attends posture of the pepper group was not significantly different compared to control, that of the capsaicin group was significantly higher compared to bot and pepper groups (p < 0.001) (**Figure 1d**).

### **3.2 Effects of consumption of chilli pepper (***Capsicum annum***) and capsaicin on motor coordination in the beam walking test**

The foot slips of both the capsaicin and pepper groups were significantly lower compared to the control (p < 0.001) (**Figure 2A**). Also, the number of falls of both the capsaicin and pepper groups were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively) compared to control (**Figure 2B**).

#### **Figure 1.**

*Comparison of (a) open arm entry frequency, (b) open arm duration, (c) head dip frequency and (d) stretch attend posture in the elevated plus maze test of the different experimental groups. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n = 10. NS = not significant, \*\* = p < 0.01, \*\*\* = p < 0.001 vs control; b = p < 0.001 vs pepper group.*
