SILING LABUYO
Health Benefits
Siling labuyo is a variety of Cayenne pepper whose therapeutic actions is used for various medical conditions which includes; rubefacient, vasomotor stimulant, aphrodisiac, expectorant, topical vasodilator, pain reliever and many others.
The active ingredient of cayenne pepper (siling labuyo) is capsaicin, a chemical compound that creates a feeling of burning pain. Capsaicin used in OTC topical pain reliever works by tricking the cells to release a substance that the brain interprets as burning pain thus acting on it, depletes the chemical signal resulting to pain relief.
Capsicum pain plaster in chronic non-specific low back pain
In a study conducted in Germany, the pharmacodynamics action of capsaicin to relieve pain associated with neuropathic and musculoskeletal disorders has been confirmed. A group of people suffering from chronic nonspecific back pain has been given capsaicin plaster as treatment. After 3 weeks of treatment, results were compared to a control group who were administered with placebo. I was established that those who were given capsaicin treatment reported a notable reduction of pain as compared to those treated with placebo. This confirmed that repeated application of capsaicin bring about desensitisation to pain and that it is likewise reversible. (Journal: Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2001, vol. 51).
Capsaicin anti-inflammatory effect in H-pylori infected gastric epithelial cells.
In a laboratory study, gastric epithelial cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of capsaicin then infected with H-pylori bacteria at different times to determine if capsaicin can inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine. Test results have shown that nontoxic dose of capsaicin inhibited H. pylori-induced IL-8 production by gastric epithelial cells through the modulation of IkappaB-, NF-kappaB-, and IL-8 pathways. This concludes that capsaicin can be proposed as a potential anti-inflammatory drug by inhibition of the production of IL-8 in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelium. (The Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Seoul, Korea: Helicobacter, October 2007).
Potential Health Benefit of Capsaicin in Siling Labuyo for Type 2 Diabetes
In a crossover study done in Thailand, 12 healthy volunteers were given oral glucose tolerance test while taking placebo or 5 grams of capsicum. The results showed that plasma glucose levels in volunteers who received capsicum were significantly lower than those in the placebo group at 30 and 45 minutes (p < 0.05). Furthermore, plasma insulin levels were significantly higher at 60, 75, 105, and 120 minutes (p < 0.05). When comparing before and after capsicum intake, the results showed the insulin levels were maintained. This study suggests that 5 grams of capsicum can decrease the plasma glucose level and may have clinical implications in the management of type 2 diabetes (Pharmacological effects of capsicum frutescens in decreasing plasma glucose level; Journal of Medical Association of Thailand, January 2009)
Anti-bacterial and anthelmintic activity of capsicum frutescens leaves.
In the course of study, it was observed that capsicum frutescens leaves are rich in carbohydrates, potassium and iron. The methanolic extract showed dose dependent antibacterial activity against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The anthelmintic effect of all concentrations was lesser when compared to standard. (Pharmacognosy Journal, February 2010)
