**4. Medicinal properties**

Apart from wide commercial applications of *Capsicum* pods or chili pepper as culinary spice and also their use in various food products such as seasoning blends and in the canning industry, *Capsicum* also possess a diverse range of medicinal and/or pharmacological potential. In medicine, capsaicinoids, the active ingredients of *Capsicum* pods, have been used for the treatment of gastritis, arthritis, toothache, musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, chronic indigestion, other pharmacological disorders and also microbial infections [20–22]. Capsaicinoids have been reported to exhibit a diverse range of biological effectiveness such as antioxidant, analgesic,

**101**

Capsicum*: Chemistry and Medicinal Properties of Indigenous Indian Varieties*

anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, promotion of energy metabolism, and sup-

Traditional practices of *Bhut Jolokia* have been well documented for the management of various human disorders/ailments, particularly in the north-eastern region of India. It has also been found to be effective in tuning up body muscles and in the treatment of wrist pain after a strenuous physical exercise [5]. The treatment of toothache and muscle pain using the hot infusion of *C. chinense* pods has also been reported in other parts of India [27]. Traditional uses of *C. chinense* leaves in several human aliments such as boil, headache, and night blindness have been well documented, for example, the use of leaf paste in the treatment of boils [28]. The use of *Bhut Jolokia* has also been found effective in the symptomatic relief of asthma because of its bronchodilation effect. Regular consumption of small quantities of *Capsicum* pods of *Bhut Jolokia* is highly beneficial in certain gastrointestinal abnormalities [5, 29].

Researchers have reported that the capsaicinoids content might be responsible for the pharmacological and/or biological potential of *Capsicum* pods. In modern medicine, the capsaicin has been considered to be an effective yet safe topical analgesic as antiarthritic, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. The antiviral efficacy of capsaicin has been reported in the treatment of herpes zoster infection [30]. The Osteoarthritis

The mechanism of analgesia that capsaicinoids produce is probably due to their counter-intuitive effect [35]. Capsaicinoids applied directly to the skin or injected by intradermal route induce both hyperalgesia and allodynia. Capsaicin causes excitation of certain subsets of dorsal root ganglia giving rise to the stimulation of thin myelinated A-delta and unmyelinated C fibers. These nerve fibers are specific for the transmission of pain signals and therefore seem to be sensitive to vanilloids such as capsaicin, which blocks particularly the transmission of noxious stimuli [36]. Due to the blockade of terminal peripheral nerves, capsaicin inhibits the release of several pro-inflammatory neuropeptides such as Substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and somatostatin [37]. The prolonged stimulation of neurons by capsaicin may deplete the nerve's ability to release the presynaptic neuropeptides, particularly Substance P. The ability of capsaicin to desensitize nociceptors is the main reason behind its therapeutic efficacy [38]. It has also been attributed that capsaicin could modulate the amount of specific neurotransmitter called Substance P, associated with the feeling of pain and thus helps alleviate pain externally [39]. Research findings claim that pure capsaicin could possess similar efficacy in treating joint and muscle pain induced in rheumatism, arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and

Research International (ORI) recommended the topical use of capsaicin as an effective adjunctive or alternative medicament to oral analgesic/anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of moderate to severe pain and inflammation in case where conventional oral analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents generally do not respond [31]. As mentioned above, capsaicin has, therefore, been included in topical therapy for the relief of different neuropathic pain, although it could produce skin irritation. Capsaicin and its analogues have been used in certain topical dosage forms such as creams and patches in order to treat chronic pain syndromes such as postherpetic neuralgia, musculoskeletal pain, diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis [32, 33]. It has also been found beneficial in relieving pain due to rashes, psoriasis, mastectomy, and bladder disorders. Adverse effects (burning, stinging and erythema) are normally limited to the site of application; however, respiratory irritations and occasional systemic effects arising from the inhalation of

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92241*

pression of fat accumulation [23–26].

cream have been reported [34].

**5. Mechanism of action**

#### Capsicum*: Chemistry and Medicinal Properties of Indigenous Indian Varieties DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92241*

anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, promotion of energy metabolism, and suppression of fat accumulation [23–26].

Traditional practices of *Bhut Jolokia* have been well documented for the management of various human disorders/ailments, particularly in the north-eastern region of India. It has also been found to be effective in tuning up body muscles and in the treatment of wrist pain after a strenuous physical exercise [5]. The treatment of toothache and muscle pain using the hot infusion of *C. chinense* pods has also been reported in other parts of India [27]. Traditional uses of *C. chinense* leaves in several human aliments such as boil, headache, and night blindness have been well documented, for example, the use of leaf paste in the treatment of boils [28]. The use of *Bhut Jolokia* has also been found effective in the symptomatic relief of asthma because of its bronchodilation effect. Regular consumption of small quantities of *Capsicum* pods of *Bhut Jolokia* is highly beneficial in certain gastrointestinal abnormalities [5, 29].

Researchers have reported that the capsaicinoids content might be responsible for the pharmacological and/or biological potential of *Capsicum* pods. In modern medicine, the capsaicin has been considered to be an effective yet safe topical analgesic as antiarthritic, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. The antiviral efficacy of capsaicin has been reported in the treatment of herpes zoster infection [30]. The Osteoarthritis Research International (ORI) recommended the topical use of capsaicin as an effective adjunctive or alternative medicament to oral analgesic/anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of moderate to severe pain and inflammation in case where conventional oral analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents generally do not respond [31].

As mentioned above, capsaicin has, therefore, been included in topical therapy for the relief of different neuropathic pain, although it could produce skin irritation. Capsaicin and its analogues have been used in certain topical dosage forms such as creams and patches in order to treat chronic pain syndromes such as postherpetic neuralgia, musculoskeletal pain, diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis [32, 33]. It has also been found beneficial in relieving pain due to rashes, psoriasis, mastectomy, and bladder disorders. Adverse effects (burning, stinging and erythema) are normally limited to the site of application; however, respiratory irritations and occasional systemic effects arising from the inhalation of cream have been reported [34].
