TY - JOUR
T1 - Genotoxic effects produced by capsaicin in mouse during subchronic treatment
AU - Díaz Barriga Arceo, S.
AU - Madrigal-Bujaidar, E.
AU - Calderón Montellano, E.
AU - Ramírez Herrera, L.
AU - Díaz García, B. D.
PY - 1995/12
Y1 - 1995/12
N2 - Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for the pungent, hot properties of Capsicum, a vegetable widely consumed in the diet of many countries in the world. In this work, the genotoxic capacity of capsaicin was studied in mouse during a 32-day treatment. We used the dosages of 1.46 and 1.94 mg/kg given by the i.p. route. Each week, the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MN-NE) and the ratio polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocytes (PE/NE) were scored. At the end of the experiment we also scored the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). The results in the MN-NE analysis showed a genotoxic response with 1.94 mg/kg starting from day 16, while the 1.46 mg/kg dose produced a significant increase of MN-NE only at the 32nd day. The ratio PE/NE was only affected at the 32nd day with the high dose. Concerning the SCE frequency, the genotoxic effect was only observed with the highest dose. These results indicated that capsaicin is a genotoxicant, and due to the probable relation between an excessive consumption of Capsicum and an increase in gastric cancer, it is suggested that its consumption could be moderated until a definitive risk for humans is established.
AB - Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for the pungent, hot properties of Capsicum, a vegetable widely consumed in the diet of many countries in the world. In this work, the genotoxic capacity of capsaicin was studied in mouse during a 32-day treatment. We used the dosages of 1.46 and 1.94 mg/kg given by the i.p. route. Each week, the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MN-NE) and the ratio polychromatic/normochromatic erythrocytes (PE/NE) were scored. At the end of the experiment we also scored the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). The results in the MN-NE analysis showed a genotoxic response with 1.94 mg/kg starting from day 16, while the 1.46 mg/kg dose produced a significant increase of MN-NE only at the 32nd day. The ratio PE/NE was only affected at the 32nd day with the high dose. Concerning the SCE frequency, the genotoxic effect was only observed with the highest dose. These results indicated that capsaicin is a genotoxicant, and due to the probable relation between an excessive consumption of Capsicum and an increase in gastric cancer, it is suggested that its consumption could be moderated until a definitive risk for humans is established.
KW - Capsaicin
KW - Micronucleus
KW - Mouse
KW - Sister chromatid exchange (SCE)
KW - Subchronic treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0029589633&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/0165-1218(95)90046-2
DO - 10.1016/0165-1218(95)90046-2
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0165-1218
VL - 345
SP - 105
EP - 109
JO - Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology
JF - Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology
IS - 3-4
ER -