The Utility of Capsicum annuum L. in Internal Medicine and In Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review

Luciano Maria Catalfamo, Giulia Marrone (), Michele Basilicata, Ilaria Vivarini, Vincenza Paolino, David Della-Morte, Francesco Saverio De Ponte, Francesca Di Daniele, Domenico Quattrone, Danilo De Rinaldis, Patrizio Bollero, Nicola Di Daniele and Annalisa Noce ()
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Luciano Maria Catalfamo: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University Hospital of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Giulia Marrone: UOC of Internal Medicine-Center of Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Michele Basilicata: UOSD Special Care Dentistry, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00100 Rome, Italy
Ilaria Vivarini: UOC of Internal Medicine-Center of Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Vincenza Paolino: UOSD Special Care Dentistry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00100 Rome, Italy
David Della-Morte: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
Francesco Saverio De Ponte: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University Hospital of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Francesca Di Daniele: School of Applied Medical, Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Domenico Quattrone: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University Hospital of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Danilo De Rinaldis: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University Hospital of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy
Patrizio Bollero: UOSD Special Care Dentistry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00100 Rome, Italy
Nicola Di Daniele: UOC of Internal Medicine-Center of Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Annalisa Noce: UOC of Internal Medicine-Center of Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: Capsaicin is a chili peppers extract, genus Capsicum, commonly used as a food spice. Since ancient times, Capsaicin has been used as a “homeopathic remedy” for treating a wild range of pathological conditions but without any scientific knowledge about its action. Several studies have demonstrated its potentiality in cardiovascular, nephrological, nutritional, and other medical fields. Capsaicin exerts its actions thanks to the bond with transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). TRPV1 is a nociceptive receptor, and its activation starts with a neurosensitive impulse, responsible for a burning pain sensation. However, constant local application of Capsaicin desensitized neuronal cells and leads to relief from neuropathic pain. In this review, we analyze the potential adjuvant role of Capsaicin in the treatment of different pathological conditions either in internal medicine or dentistry. Moreover, we present our experience in five patients affected by oro-facial pain consequent to post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy, not responsive to any remedy, and successfully treated with topical application of Capsaicin. The topical application of Capsaicin is safe, effective, and quite tolerated by patients. For these reasons, in addition to the already-proven beneficial actions in the internal field, it represents a promising method for the treatment of neuropathic oral diseases.

Keywords: Capsicum annuum L.; Capsaicin; internal medicine; nephropathy; dentistry; oro-facial pain; topical application; neuropathic oral diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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