Capsaicin: A Two-Decade Systematic Review of Global Research Output and Recent Advances Against Human Cancer

Abstract

Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is one of the most important natural products in the genus Capsicum. Due to its numerous biological effects, there has been extensive and increasing research interest in capsaicin, resulting in increased scientific publications in recent years. Therefore, an in-depth bibliometric analysis of published literature on capsaicin from 2001 to 2021 was performed to assess the global research status, thematic and emerging areas, and potential insights into future research. Furthermore, recent research advances of capsaicin and its combination therapy on human cancer as well as their potential mechanisms of action were described. In the last two decades, research outputs on capsaicin have increased by an estimated 18% per year and were dominated by research articles at 93% of the 3753 assessed literature. In addition, anti-cancer/pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity, in vivo neurological and pain research studies were the keyword clusters generated and designated as thematic domains for capsaicin research. It was evident that the United States, China, and Japan accounted for about 42% of 3753 publications that met the inclusion criteria. Also, visibly dominant collaboration nodes and networks with most of the other identified countries were established. Assessment of the eligible literature revealed that the potential of capsaicin for mitigating cancer mainly entailed its chemo-preventive effects, which were often linked to its ability to exert multi-biological effects such as anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, clinical studies were limited, which may be related to some of the inherent challenges associated with capsaicin in the limited clinical trials. This review presents a novel approach to visualizing information about capsaicin research and a comprehensive perspective on the therapeutic significance and applications of capsaicin in the treatment of human cancer.

Spice up the moment: The influence of spicy taste on people's metaphorical perspectives on time

“…As maintained by embodied cognition, bodily experiences scaffold cognitive processes (Barsalou, 2008). Gustatory experience of chili peppers that contain the pungent ingredient called capsaicin (Xiang et al, 2022) can cause tissue irritation, oral burn and pain, an increase in body temperature and reddening in the face (Adetunji et al, 2022; Ji et al, 2013; Zhou et al, 2023). These physiological manifestations are also symptomatically characteristic of being in an angry emotional state (Menete & Jiang, 2021; Wilkowski et al, 2009).…”

Induction of ferroptosis by natural phenols: A promising strategy for cancer therapy

“…Strategies are being employed to improve its delivery using carriers like nanoparticles and liposomes. In combination therapies, capsaicin synergizes with other chemotherapy drugs, showing promising advantages in cancer treatment (Adetunji et al, 2022). Capsaicin induces ferroptosis in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through a series of molecular events.…”

Capsaicin: A Potential Treatment to Improve Cerebrovascular Function and Cognition in Obesity and Ageing

“…They are a group of phenolic compounds characterised by a common vanilloid ring ( Figure 3 ) [ 87 ]. Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin and homodihydrocapsaicin all comprise the capsaicinoids, with capsaicin being the most abundantly occurring of these [ 87 , 88 ]. Capsaicin has been extensively studied for its multiple benefits as an anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-obesity agent and for its use as a topical analgesic [ 89 , 90 ].…”