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PubMed2003

Incidence of aflatoxin B1 in the Egyptian cured meat basterma and control by gamma-irradiation.

In the present studies trials have been carried out to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in the Egyptian cured meat basterma and to control such contamination by gamma-rays. Basterma was prepared from fresh salted meat coated with spice paste and stored at room temperature. The total mould counts of basterma samples varied from 10(3) to 10(6) cfu/g in summer months and from 10(2) to 10(5) cfu/g in winter months. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Fusarium and Cladosporium were the most common fungal genera isolated from basterma samples and its components. Basterma samples contained total aflatoxins at levels from 2.8 to 47 microg x kg(-1). Aflatoxins were determined in the spice paste at levels from 9.6 to 120 microg x kg(-1) and in pepper (285.6 microg x kg(-1)), garlic (224.4 microg x kg(-1)), fenugreek (194.2 microg x kg(-1)), coriander (16 and capsicum (42.4 microg x kg(-1)). At an irradiation dose level of 3 kGy, only one sample each of pepper, fenugreek, and spice paste were contaminated with aflatoxins and all basterma samples and its components were free from aflatoxins at an irradiation dose level of 5 kGy.

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Riot control agents: pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry and chemistry.

The desired effect of all riot control agents is the temporary disablement of individuals by way of intense irritation of the mucous membranes and skin. Generally, riot control agents can produce acute site-specific toxicity where sensory irritation occurs. Early riot control agents, namely, chloroacetophenone (CN) and chlorodihydrophenarsazine (DM), have been replaced with 'safer' agents such as o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) and oleoresin of capsicum (OC). Riot control agents are safe when used as intended: however, the widespread use of riot control agents raises questions and concerns regarding their health effects and safety. A large margin exists between dosages that produce harassment and dosages likely to cause adverse health effects for modern riot control agents such as CS and dibenz[b,f]1 : 4-oxazepine (CR). Yet, despite the low toxicity of modern riot control agents, these compounds are not entirely without risk. The risk of toxicity increases with higher exposure levels and prolonged exposure durations. Ocular, pulmonary and dermal injury may occur on exposure to high levels of these substances, and exposure to riot control agents in enclosed spaces may produce significant toxic effects. Reported deaths are few involving riot control agents, and then only under conditions of prolonged exposure and high concentrations. Recently, concern has focused on the deaths resulting from law enforcement use of OC, a riot control agent generally regarded as safe because it is a natural product. As with other xenobiotics, not enough is known concerning the long-term/chronic effects of riot control agents. Clearly, there is considerable need for additional research to define and delineate the biological and toxicological actions of riot control agents and to illuminate the full health consequences of these compounds as riot control agents.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases: protein sequence comparisons, a phylogenetic tree, and predictions of secondary structure.

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the basic chain-elongation reaction in the isoprene biosynthetic pathway. Pairwise sequence comparisons were made for 6 farnesyl diphosphate synthases, 6 geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases, and a hexaprenyl diphosphate synthase. Five regions with highly conserved residues, two of which contain aspartate-rich DDXX(XX)D motifs found in many prenyltransferases, were identified. A consensus secondary structure for the group, consisting mostly of alpha-helices, was predicted for the multiply aligned sequences from amino acid compositions, computer assignments of local structure, and hydropathy indices. Progressive sequence alignments suggest that the 13 isoprenyl diphosphate synthases evolved from a common ancestor into 3 distinct clusters. The most distant separation is between yeast hexaprenyl diphosphate synthetase and the other enzymes. Except for the chromoplastic geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Capsicum annuum, the remaining farnesyl and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases segregate into prokaryotic/archaebacterial and eukaryotic families.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service research on natural products for pest management.

Recent research of the Agricultural Research Service of USDA on the use of natural products to manage pests is summarized. Studies of the use of both phytochemicals and diatomaceous earth to manage insect pests are discussed. Chemically characterized compounds, such as a saponin from pepper (Capsicum frutescens L), benzaldehyde, chitosan and 2-deoxy-D-glucose are being studied as natural fungicides. Resin glycosides for pathogen resistance in sweet potato and residues of semi-tropical leguminous plants for nematode control are also under investigation. Bioassay-guided isolation of compounds with potential use as herbicides or herbicide leads is underway at several locations. New natural phytotoxin molecular target sites (asparagine synthetase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase) have been discovered. Weed control in sweet potato and rice by allelopathy is under investigation. Molecular approaches to enhance allelopathy in sorghum are also being undertaken. The genes for polyketide synthases involved in production of pesticidal polyketide compounds in fungi are found to provide clues for pesticide discovery. Gene expression profiles in response to fungicides and herbicides are being generated as tools to understand more fully the mode of action and to rapidly determine the molecular target site of new, natural fungicides and herbicides.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Field evaluation of capsaicin as a rodent aversion agent for poultry feed.

Developing additional techniques for reducing animal feed contamination by rodents and controlling rodent populations is critical to efforts aimed at reducing the occurrence of Salmonella spp infection on poultry farms. Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers of the genus Capsicum, produces a burning sensation in the mouth of mammals and is used effectively as an animal deterrent for some pest species. Applied to poultry feed, capsaicin may be effective as an aversive agent to deter rodent feeding and enhance acceptability of rodenticide baits. We tested capsaicin-treated poultry diets (2000 and 3000 Scoville Heat Units, SHU) in no-choice feeding trials at four active New York farms in the winter of 1997-1998. At all farms, consumption of the 2000 SHU diet by rodents (Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berk), and house mice, Mus musculus L) was significantly less than consumption of a control diet. Consumption of the 3000 SHU diet by rodents was significantly less than consumption of a control diet at three of the four farms. Overall, consumption of treated diets was 58-97% and 55-98% less than consumption of the control diet, for the 2000 and 3000 SHU diets, respectively. These reductions appeared to be related closely to the availability of alternative feed sources at these farms. Two-choice feeding trials involving a rodenticide bait (0.05 g kg(-1) brodifacoum) and the 3000 SHU diet demonstrated that Norway rats preferred the rodenticide to the capsaicin-treated poultry feed. Overall, rodenticide bait acceptance was high (95.6%) when offered simultaneously with capsaicin-treated poultry feed. Although poultry managers must utilize several techniques to manage rodent pests, the use of capsaicin-treated diets to reduce feed losses and increase rodenticide bait acceptance appears promising. Use of capsaicin-treated feed on poultry farms may substantially reduce feed contamination by rodents and ultimately the incidence of Salmonella infection in poultry.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

The use of health foods, spices and other botanicals in the Sikh community in London.

Attitudes and practice concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are currently an area of considerable interest. However, little is known about the overall importance of such practices, for example, in immigrant communities such as the Sikh (Punjabi) British. The use of CAM in immigrants belonging to the Sikh religion in London was studied. The primary objective was to analyse the extent to which traditional medicine is used and understood by this population. Traditional Sikh medicine is important to this group of informants and a total of 42 species were recorded and identified tentatively. The most frequently mentioned species were Allium cepa (onion -- gunda), Allium sativum (garlic -- lasan, thon), Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper -- lalmirch), Cinnamomum verum (cinnamom--dhal chini), Citrus limon (lemon -- nimbu), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel -- saunf), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom -- elaichi) and Zingiber officinale (ginger -- adrak). The study also highlights the rapid change this tradition is undergoing in a diaspora situation. In depth studies on the use of CAM among other immigrant communities and among ethnic groups are urgent and may help to manage better the treatment of minor ailments as well as chronic diseases. Specifically, more research on traditional and herbal remedies amongst the numerous ethnic groups in urban Britain and how this impacts on the use of biomedicine (e.g. as it is provided by the NHS) is essential.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The effect of capsaicin on blood glucose, plasma insulin levels and insulin binding in dog models.

Capsicum frutescens has been used to treat diabetes mellitus by traditional healers in Jamaica. This study was designed to identify any hypoglycaemic principle(s) and to determine the mechanism of action. Purification experiments employing thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) led to the extraction of the active principle, capsaicin. Capsaicin caused a decrease in blood glucose levels of 4.91 +/- 0.52 (n = 6) mmol/dL versus 6.40 +/- 0.13 mmol/dL (n = 6) for the control (p < 0.05) at the 2.5 h time interval when the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on dogs treated with capsaicin and compared with the control. Plasma insulin levels measured at the 2.5 h time interval showed that there was an increase in plasma insulin levels of 5.78 +/- 0.76 microIU/mL (n = 6) for the capsaicin treated dogs versus 3.70 +/- 0.43 microIU/mL (n = 10) for the control (p < 0.05). Insulin receptor studies, using a modification of the method of Gambhir et al. done on monocytes obtained from blood at the 2.5 h time interval showed that there was a decrease in the percentage receptor binding for the capsaicin treated dogs when compared with the control. Insulin affinity results showed that there was a decrease of 2.4 x 10(-4) in monocytes for the capsaicin treated dogs versus 8.77 x 10(-4) for the control (p < 0.05). Also, insulin receptor calculations showed a decrease in number, 2.63 x 10(8) +/- 5.73 x 10(7), compared with 8.77 x 10(8) +/- 1.47 x 10(8) for the control. In conclusion it can be stated that capsaicin is responsible for the hypoglycaemic episodes seen in the dogs and that it also causes an increase in insulin secretion which leads to a reduction of insulin binding on the insulin receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cloning, heterologous expression, and functional characterization of 5-epi-aristolochene-1,3-dihydroxylase from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).

Capsidiol is a bicyclic, dihydroxylated sesquiterpene produced by several solanaceous species in response to a variety of environmental stimuli. It is the primary antimicrobial compound produced by Nicotiana tabacum in response to fungal elicitation, and it is formed via the isoprenoid pathway from 5-epi-aristolochene. Much of the biosynthetic pathway for the formation of this compound has been elucidated, except for the enzyme(s) responsible for the conversion of 5-epi-aristolochene to its dihydroxylated form, capsidiol. Biochemical evidence from previous studies with N. tabacum (Whitehead, I. M., Threlfall, D. R., and Ewing, D. F., 1989, Phytochemistry 28, 775-779) and Capsicum annuum Hoshino, T., Yamaura, T., Imaishi, H., Chida, M., Yoshizawa, Y., Higashi, K., Ohkawa, H., Mizutani, J., 1995, Phytochemistry 38, 609-613. suggested that the oxidation of 5-epi-aristolochene to capsidiol was mediated by at least one elicitor-inducible cytochrome P450 hydroxylase. In extending these observations, we developed an in vivo assay for 5-epi-aristolochene hydroxylase activity and used it to demonstrate a dose-dependent inhibition of activity by ancymidol and ketoconazole, two well characterized inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed to the well conserved domains found within most P450 enzymes, including the heme binding domain, cDNA fragments representing four distinct P450 families (CYP71, CYP73, CYP82, and CYP92) were amplified from a cDNA library prepared against mRNA from elicitor-treated cells using PCR. The PCR fragments were subsequently used to isolate full-length cDNAs (CYP71D20 and D21, CYP73A27 and A28, CYP82E1 and CYP92A5), and these in turn were used to demonstrate that the corresponding mRNAs were all induced in elicitor-treated cells, albeit with different induction patterns. Representative, full-length cDNAs for each of the P450s were engineered into a yeast expression system, and the recombinant yeast assessed for functional expression of P450 protein by measuring the CO difference spectra of the yeast microsomes. Only microsomal preparations from yeast expressing the CYP71D20 and CYP92A5 cDNAs exhibited significant CO difference absorbance spectra at 450 nm and were thus tested for their ability to hydroxylate 5-epi-aristolochene and 1-deoxycapsidiol, a putative mono-hydroxylated intermediate in capsidiol biosynthesis. Interestingly, the CYP71D20-encoded enzyme activity was capable of converting both 5-epi-aristolochene and 1-deoxycapsidiol to capsidiol in vitro, consistent with the notion that this P450 enzyme catalyzes both hydroxylations of its hydrocarbon substrate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Voltage-activated sodium current is inhibited by capsaicin in rat atrial myocytes.

The effects of capsaicin, the active principle of hot pepper genus Capsicum, were studied on voltage-activated, tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ currents in isolated rat atrial cells using the patch clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration. 0.4 and 4 microM of capsaicin produced a significant tonic block on voltage-activated Na+ current (I(Na)) evoked by a depolarizing step to -40 mV from a holding potential of -100 mV (49 +/- 7% n = 11, P < 0.05 and 72 +/- 13% n = 4, P < 0.05 respectively). We didn't observe any use-dependent block of capsaicin in our experimental conditions. Capsaicin slowed the time decay of inactivation of I(Na), and increased the time constant of the recovery of inactivation. Capsaicin and tetrodotoxin (TTX) depressed contractility of isolated electrically driven left rat atria, being the depression of maximal velocity of force development (dF/dt(max)) with respect to control values of 19 +/- 3% at 1 microM of capsaicin and 22 +/- 2% at 1 microM of TTX. These results show an inhibitory effect of capsaicin on I(Na) in isolated atrial cells that may modify the electrical and contractile function of the rat heart.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Beneficial effects of intranasal applications of capsaicin in patients with vasomotor rhinitis.

Capsaicin, a nonenamide derived from Capsicum plants, has proven useful in patients with vasomotor rhinitis. In the present study, we studied the effects of 15 micrograms capsaicin suspended in 100 microliters solution in patients with known vasomotor rhinitis. Drug was given 3 times/day for 3 days to each patient by means of a spray delivered to the nasal mucosa. Acute effects induced by the drug included painful sensation and secretion of nasal fluid but were no longer observed at the last capsaicin application. Patients recorded their symptoms over a 1-month period. The mean symptom score involving nasal obstruction and nasal secretion was markedly reduced by capsaicin treatment. We advance the hypothesis that the beneficial effect of drug treatment may be due to its specific action on the peripheral endings of primary sensory neurons leading to their functional blockade. Further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is now needed.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1995

Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity testing of six chemicals associated with the pungent properties of specific spices as revealed by the Ames Salmonella/microsomal assay.

Three compounds, capsaicin, thymol and borneol, were initially screened for mutagenic activity using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97, TA98 and TA100, with and without S9 metabolic activation, and 20 min standard preincubation time. Three other compounds, allyl isothiocyanate, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, were screened for mutagenic activity as above, but with a prolonged, nonstandard preincubation time of up to 120 minutes. All six test compounds used in the assays are associated with the pungent properties of some specific spices in which the test compounds can be found to exist naturally. The first objective of this study was to observe if mutagenic activity can be correlated to the pungent properties of these six test compounds. However, due to toxicity and the observation that only capsaicin was mutagenic, using strain TA100 in the presence of S9 metabolic activation, it was not possible to deduce any relationship between mutagenicity and the test chemicals' pungent properties. Naturally occurring capsaicin, found in the spice Capsicum annum, was detected and quantified using thin layer and gas chromatographic techniques. The final objective was to detect the presence of antimutagenic factor(s) in C. annum that would suppress the mutagenicity of capsaicin. When the mutagenic capsaicin and 2-aminoanthracene were assayed in the presence of C. annum acetone extract, using strain TA100 with S9 metabolic activation, the mutagenic response of both the mutagens were reduced by approximately 50%. Assaying capsaicin and 2-aminoanthracene in the presence of chlorophyll, the mutagenic response of the two mutagens was reduced by less than 40%. From this observation it was inferred that chlorophyll can successfully suppress the mutagenicity activities of capsaicin and 2-aminoanthracene, together with other antimutagenic factors that were present in the acetone extract of C. annum.

Acrolein↗
PubMed1993

Common Indian spices: nutrient composition, consumption and contribution to dietary value.

Nutrient composition of eight commonly consumed spices of South India was analysed. Spices analysed were red chillies (Capsicum annum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum), cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), garlic (Allium sativum), asafoetida (Ferula foetida), dry ginger (Zingiber officinale) and ajowan (Carum copticum). The nutrients analysed were proximate principles, minerals, starch, sugars, dietary fibre components, tannins, phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors and amino acids. Dry ginger, ajowan and asafoetida had high calcium (1.0-1.5%) and iron (54-62 mg/100 g) levels. The tannin content of spices was also high (0.9-1.3% DM). Dietary fibre ranged from 14-53%. Spices had appreciable amounts of essential amino acids like lysine and threonine. A survey revealed the average per capita consumption of spices to be 9.54 g and at that level, the nutrient contribution from spices ranged from 1.2 to 7.9% of an average adult Indian male's requirement for different nutrients.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1994

Influence of spices on protein utilisation of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and horsegram (Dolichos biflorus).

The influence of a mixture of eleven spices commonly consumed in India on the utilisation of protein from boiled winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and horsegram (Dolichos biflorus) was studied at 10 and 20 percent level of protein intake in experimental rats. Spices used in the mixture include red chillies (Capsicum annum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), garlic (Allium sativum), ajowan (Carum copticum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), caraway seeds (Carum carui) and fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare). Addition of this spice mixture at 1.5% level of the diet decreased the TD of both legumes, significantly only in the case of horsegram. A significant increase was observed in the BV of both the legumes at both levels of protein tested.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1993

Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid content of blanched sweet green pepper during chilled storage in modified atmospheres.

Sweet green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cut into pieces was analysed for ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) content before and after blanching, after 1, 4 and 7 days of chilled storage in modified atmosphere, and after reheating. No difference in retention of AA was noted between storage in 2 and 4% O2 atmospheres, whereas retention during storage in air was significantly lower. Production of DHAA during storage increased with increased O2 content in the atmosphere. After 7 days of storage, DHAA contributed 10-35% of the total AA, and DHAA contributed 12-25% after reheating, depending on the O2 content in the atmosphere. Since the vitamin activity of DHAA is considered to be the same as that of AA, it is concluded that the content of DHAA in processed green pepper is of importance and should be measured together with AA.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1991

Influence of spices on utilization of sorghum and chickpea protein.

Influence of eight common Indian spices on the protein quality of sorghum and chickpea was studied. Spices used include red chillies (Capsicum annum), black pepper (piper nigrum), coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum) cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), garlic (Allium sativum), asafoetida (Ferula foetida), dry ginger (Zingiber officinale) and ajowan (Carum copticum). Addition of spices did not affect protein digestibility (TD) of sorghum. The BV of all sorghum diets with spices was higher than that of control diet. However, it was significant only in case of diets combined with red chilli + coriander (1:1) mix, black pepper + cumin (1:1) mix, coriander and cumin. Addition of spices did not have any effect on TD or BV of chickpea diets.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Analysis of methylsterol fractions from twenty vegetable oils.

The 4-monomethylsterol and 4,4-dimethylsterol fractions were separated from the unsaponifiables of 20 vegetable oils by preparative thin layer chromatography, and their compositions were determined by gas liquid chromatography. Tentative identification of the individual components of these fractions was carried out by gas liquid chromatography and combined gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among 4-monomethylsterols, obtusifoliol, gramisterol, and citrostadienol occur abundantly in most of the oils. Cycloeucalenol also occurs in some of the oils as a major component of 4-monomethylsterols. Other 4-monomethylsterols tentatively identified are: lophenol, 31-norlanosterol, 31-norcycloartenol, and 31-norlanostenol and/or 4alpha-methylzymostenol. Among 4,4-dimethylsterols, cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol followed by beta-amyrin and cycloartanol are common to most of the oils. Butyrospermol, alpha-amyrin, lupeol, and cyclobranol together with a 4,4-dimethylsterol, presumably lanostenol, occur in some of the oils. Cyclolaudenol is present in poppy seed oil. Besides these compounds, each of the oils contains some unidentified members of 4-monomethylsterols and 4,4-dimethylsterols. The methylsterol fraction of capsicum seed oil as compared with that of the other oils is characterized by its very high content of lophenol and cycloartanol together with three other members, presumably 31-norlanostenol, 4alpha-methylzymostenol, and lanostenol.

Cholestadienols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of acute tonsillitis with a fixed-combination herbal preparation.

In an observational study involving 10 non-hospital-affiliated physicians, 48 patients between 6 and 73 years of age with symptoms of acute tonsillitis were treated with either a liquid or tablet formulation of a herbal compound of Phytolacca, Guajacum, and Capsicum. More than half of the patients reported marked alleviation of the principal symptom, moderate or severe difficulty in swallowing, within the first 5 days of treatment. Comparable improvements occurred in other outcome measures, including earache, headache, and fatigue. No adverse side effects were reported.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Capsaicin-induced apoptosis and reduced release of reactive oxygen species in MBT-2 murine bladder tumor cells.

Bladder cancer is a common cancer with high risk of recurrence and mortality. Intravesicle chemotherapy after trans-urethral resection is required to prevent tumor recurrence and progression. It has been known that antioxidants enhance the antitumor effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the most effective intravesical bladder cancer treatment. Capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient in genus Capsicum, has recently been tried as an intravesical drug for overactive bladder and it has also been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in many cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effect and alterations in the cellular redox state of capsaicin in MBT-2 murine bladder tumor cells. Capsaicin induced apoptotic MBT-2 cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The capsaicin-induced apoptosis was blocked by the pretreatment with Z-VAD-fmk, a broad-range caspase inhibitor, or Ac-DEVD-CHO, a caspase-3 inhibitor. In addition to the caspase-3 activation, capsaicin also induced cytochrome c release and decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression with no changes in the level of Bax. Furthermore, capsaicin at the concentration of inducing apoptosis also markedly reduced the level of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, implying that capsaicin may enhance the antitumor effect of BCG in bladder cancer treatment. These results further suggest that capsaicin may be a valuable intravesical chemotherapeutic agent for bladder cancers.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗