Ethnopharmacological relevance: Peppers from Capsicum species (Solanaceae) are native to Central and
South America, and are commonly used as food and also for a broad variety of medicinal applications.
Aim of the study: The red pepper Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum is widely consumed in Brazil, but
there are few reports in the literature of studies on its chemical composition and biological properties.
In this study the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Capsicum baccatum were evaluated and
the total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined.
Materials and methods: The antioxidant property was assayed by scavenging abilities using DPPH and
the anti-inflammatory activity was tested through the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in mice. The
total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically.
Results: The ethanolic and butanol extracts (200 mg/kg, p.o.) presented a significant anti-inflammatory
activity toward carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in mice in comparison to dexamethasone
(0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). Among the parameters evaluated, the treatment with these samples inhibited leukocyte
migration and reduced the formation of exudate. The contents of flavonoids and total phenolic compounds
could be correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities observed for Capsicum
baccatum.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Capsicum baccatum contains potential antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory compounds which could be tested as drug candidates against oxidative and
inflammation-related pathological processes in medicinal chemistry studies.