Health benefits of capsaicin administration suggested by preclinical and clinical research
| Condition benefited | Likely mechanisms of action |
|---|---|
| Atherosclerosis26 29 30 | Improved endothelial function, including eNOS activation/induction; induction of LXRalpha in foam cells, promoting cholesterol export |
| Diabetic vasculopathy39 | Induction of UCP2 and eNOS in endothelium |
| Stroke28 | Improved endothelial function, including eNOS activation/induction |
| Angina31 | Improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation of coronary arteries |
| Hypertension27 32 33 | Activation/induction of eNOS; decreased renal sodium retention |
| Metabolic syndrome54–58 | Decreased adipose inflammation—reflecting PPARgamma induction |
| Cardiac hypertrophy41 | Induction of PPARdelta |
| Fatty liver39 52 | Induction of UCP2 in hepatocytes; decreased adipose inflammation Increased GLP-1 secretion |
| Obesity56 57 61 62 66 | Sympathetic activation of brown fat thermogenesis Improved appetite control—vagal signal to appetite centers, ↑ GLP-1; increased adipocyte capacity for lipolysis |
| Gastric ulceration68–70 | Decreased acid secretion; increased alkali; increased gastric blood flow |
eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; UCP2, uncoupling protein 2