Anti-inflammatory effect of capsaicin and bernerine on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in mice

Capsaicin and Berberina are plants-derived compounds, whit anti-inflammatory effect on inflammation induced by TPA and Carrageenan. In this study, both natural products were evaluated in mice exposed to LPS (250 mu g/ 100g) which is able to initiate the inflammatory response through realeasing factors such as pro-inflammatory interleukin and nitric oxide. Six different groups were used: (i) control group (healthy mice); (ii) LPS (without treatment); (iii) LPS-corticosterone; (iv) LPS-indomethacin (both reference drugs); (v) LPS-berberine (5 mg/kg) and (vi) LPScapsaicin (1.28 mg/kg). The capsaicin reduced significantly (p < 0.001) the nitric oxide levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta).While mice treated with berberine, only inhibited IL-1 beta (p < 0.05) and nitric oxide (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of capsaicin and berberine are mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide inhibition.