Abstract:
Capsicum is a household vegetable which has been consumed for a long time. The active substance that gives hot and spicy flavour was found as capsaicin which has many effects on many organs. This research was conducted to study the effect of capsicum on plasma glucose level and find the pharmacokinetic of capsaicin in Capsicum frutescens. The study was performed in 12 healthy volunteers by having the OGTT as well as receiving the placebo and 5 grams of capsicum. Then the same volunteers were given placebo and the same amount of capsicum to study the insulin secretion and measure the capsaicin level in plasma by using the HPLC method. The results show that the volunteers who were given capsicum with OGTT have the tendency of the plasma glucose level lower than the placebo group with finding statistically significant different at 30 and 45 minutes ( P<0.05). The group given the capsicum has the tendency of insulin level higher than the placebo group with also finding statistically significant different at 1 hr.,1 hr. 15 minutes,1 hr. 45 minutes and 2 hrs ( P<0.05). When comparing insulin level at time before to after receiving capsicum and placebo, capsicum group have not any change in insulin level. On the other hand, placebo group showed insulin level significantly gradually decreased. The pharmacokinetic parameters of capsaicin shown as C[subscript max], T [subscript max], AUC[subscript 0-alpha] , K[subscript el], T[subscript ½] are 2.47 ±0.46 ng/ml, 47.08 ±6.89 min, 103.6 ±38.99 ng.min/ml, 0.4 ±0.4 min[supescript -1] and 24.87 ±17.2 min, respectively.
The study found that 5 grams of capsicum has the effect to decrease plasma glucose level and maintain insulin level. This result could be caused by capsaicin in capsicum which is absorbed and distributed to the body with PK parameters as mention.