From the Guidelines
Capsaicin from chili peppers should not be used as a treatment for wound healing due to the lack of strong evidence supporting its effectiveness and potential risks of irritation and pain. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, recommends against the use of topical herbal or traditional medicinal preparations, including capsaicin, for wound healing in diabetes-related foot ulcers due to the low confidence in the results and high risk of bias in the available studies. Some of the key points to consider when evaluating the role of capsaicin in wound healing include:
- The potential benefits of capsaicin, such as increased blood flow and antimicrobial properties, are indirect and may not have a significant impact on the wound healing process.
- The use of capsaicin or chili peppers on open wounds can cause severe pain and potential tissue irritation, making it an unsuitable treatment option.
- Established treatments, such as keeping wounds clean, using appropriate dressings, and following medical advice, are more effective and reliable for promoting wound healing.
- Commercial topical preparations containing dilute capsaicin may be used for pain management of healed wounds or certain skin conditions, but only under medical guidance and never on broken skin. Overall, the current evidence suggests that capsaicin from chili peppers has a limited role in wound healing, and its use is not recommended due to the potential risks and lack of strong evidence supporting its effectiveness, as stated in 1 and supported by 1 and 1.
From the Research
Role of Capsaicin in Wound Healing
- Capsaicin, a major component of chili peppers, has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which can improve wound healing by suppressing the inflammatory response and ameliorating the repair process 2.
- The study found that capsaicin increased cell migration and decreased interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression in in vitro cell assays, and in vivo animal experiments showed that capsaicin-treated wounds had lower densities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, as well as lower IL-6 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 protein levels 2.
- However, another study found that topical capsaicin treatment had cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which are essential for wound healing, and therefore does not appear to be indicated for the treatment of burns 3.
Wound Healing Process
- Wound healing is a complex biological process involving multiple cell populations, the extracellular matrix, and the action of soluble mediators such as growth factors and cytokines 4.
- The process of healing can be divided into four phases: coagulation and haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and wound remodelling with scar tissue formation 4.
- Factors that can affect the wound healing process include wound infections, use of corticosteroids, inadequate nutrition, and wound bed status 5.
Capsaicin's Effects on Other Processes
- Capsaicin has been found to inhibit acid secretion, stimulate alkali and mucus secretions, and stimulate gastric mucosal blood flow, which can help in the prevention and healing of gastric ulcers 6.
- Capsaicin acts by stimulating afferent neurons in the stomach and signals for protection against injury-causing agents 6.