Role of Capsaicin in Cardiovascular Diseases

Experimental evidence supports the use of dietary phytochemicals to lower the risk of cardio-related ailments. Phytochemicals found in fruits, leafy greens, whole grains, seasonings, and teas have been popular in the field of cardiovascular diseases management since from many years ago. Furthermore, phytochemicals are widely available, inexpensive, and generally non-toxic, which differentiate them from existing treatment methods that are indiscriminately harmful and result in numerous undesirable side effects as well as medication resistance in patients who already received therapy. Capsicum or red pepper plants are commonly used in foods all over the world for their poignant flavor, color, and to delay food deterioration. The primary spicy component of chili peppers is the dietary compound capsaicin. Researchers have found that capsaicin has pain-relieving, weight reducing, inflammation reducing, anti-diabetes, and antitumor properties. Capsaicin’s scientific validity is restricted because of troublesome side effects; which results in substantial investigation on second-generation capsaicin analogs with greater therapeutic potential. Capsaicin can be used in atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and stroke. It also inhibits platelet aggregation via a TRPV1-dependent and independent mechanism. Capsaicin promotes platelet activation by augmenting ADP and thrombin-mediated calcium release from cellular platelet reserves. Capsaicin enhances ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and lessens LDL-related protein 1, restricting atherosclerosis. Capsaicin-sensitive nerves are in the heart. By stimulating TRPV1 and substance P, these nerves govern the liberation of the peptide linked to calcitonin gene. Capsaicin causes vasodilation by releasing nitric oxide from vascular endothelial cells. It also acts as an antihypertensive agent by blocking the L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscles. This chapter highlights the multiple mechanisms of capsaicin in various cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, arrhythmias, stroke, and myocardial infarction.