Capsaicin prevents degeneration of dopamine neurons by inhibiting glial activation and oxidative stress in the MPTP model of Parkinson’s disease

Capsaicin, the fiery compound found in chili peppers, and similar chemicals could offer new options to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). Interest in capsaicin's possible action against PD has been growing for some years. Researchers in South Korea led by Byung Jin of Kyung Hee University and Won-Ho Shin of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology investigated the link using a mouse model of PD. They found that capsaicin could prevent the degeneration of the nerve cells affected by PD. The overall behavior of the mice also improved. The beneficial effects are initiated when the capsaicin molecules bind to a protein receptor called TRPV1 in nerve cell membranes. This stimulates a sequence of events that protect the cells. The therapeutic potential of molecules that interact with TRPV1, including capsaicin, should therefore be investigated further.