Common Name: Capsanthin

Overview:

Capsanthin is a carotenoid that is part of a group of compounds called xanthophylls. Zeaxanthin and astraxanthin are also in this group. This carotenoid is unique to the peppers. Capsanthin is responsible for the red color in of paprika, cayenne peppers, and ripe bell peppers.

Benefits

Unlike the more familiar carotenoids such as beta-carotene, research on Capsanthin is just beginning. It has been found that the ability of capsanthin to scavenge free radicals is equal to or greater than beta-carotene, lutien and zeaxanthin. It is also much more stable and resists decomposition better than the others.

Researchers in France have shown that capsanthin and related carotenoids are showing potent anti-tumor activity. These carotenoids inhibited the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) as well as anti-tumor-activity in an in vitro mouse skin two-stage carcinogenesis assay.

Dietary Sources

	Red Bell Peppers		Cayenne Peppers
Hungarian or Paprika Peppers

Web References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper
2. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CAPSI

Printed Reference Material

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   J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Oct 18;54(21):8244-52.
   PMID: 17032035
4. Kuda T, Iwai A, Yano T. Effect of red pepper Capsicum annuum var. conoides and garlic Allium sativum on plasma lipid levels and cecal microflora in mice fed beef tallow.
   Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Oct;42(10):1695-1700.
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5. Ahuja KD, Robertson IK, Geraghty DP, Ball MJ. Effects of chili consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):63-9. , PMID: 16825682
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11. Mori A, Lehmann S, O'Kelly J, Kumagai T, Desmond J, Pervan M, McBride W, Kizaki M, Koeffler HP. Capsaicin, a Component of Red Peppers, Inhibits the Growth of Androgen-Independent, p53 Mutant Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancer Res 2006 Mar 15;66(6):3222-9. , PMID: 16540674
12. Rains C, Bryson HM. Topical capsaicin. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential in post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and osteoarthritis. Drugs Aging 1995 Oct;7(4):317-28 1995
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