Anti-obesity Effects of Capsaicin via Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Bioactive components obtained from plants have been used for the prevention, treatment and reduction of diseases’ symptoms. Capsaicin is the most frequently used capsaicinoids. It is the important bioactive component found in the Capsi-cum species. Capsaicin has an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative metabolic effects thus it is related to numerous lifestyle related chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes and different type cancer, etc.). In animal and human researches, it has been shown that capsaicin provides intestinal integrity by changing the gut microbiota profile, prevents chronic low-grade inflammation, regulates hunger-satiety hormones by affecting the gut-brain axis, and has obesity preventive effects through energy metabolism. Understanding the relation between capsaicin, obesity, gut microbiota is suggested as an effective strategy for preventing obesity and co-morbidities. However, to take advantage of the pathways in which capsaicin is effective in preventing and treating obesity, more clinical studies are needed on what dose, how, and when it should be taken. This chapter summarises the anti-obesity effects of capsaicin through gut microbiota and potential mechanisms using updated literature. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.