capsicum frutescens

Capsicum frutescens is a species of chili pepper, including varieties such as malagueta and bird's eye chili, widely utilized as a spice, dietary supplement, and in traditional medicine. Its primary bioactive constituents are capsaicinoids (notably capsaicin), which function as potent agonists of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel, influencing thermoregulation and pain perception. Clinical research has explored homeopathic preparations of C. frutescens for the relief of menopausal hot flushes, based on the principle of "like cures like." Additionally, the plant contains antimicrobial peptides known as lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) with antifungal properties against Candida species, and its extracts have shown antioxidant and antiplasmodial activity in preclinical models of malaria. It is also used in ethnoveterinary practices for treating various poultry diseases.

Other names

malagueta pepperbird's eye chiliAfrican bird's eye chiliTabasco pepperXiaomilamillet pepperC. frutescens