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It was previously reported that cytochrome P450 content in liver was increased when Capsicum acetone extract was given chronically to rats. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of capsaicin, a principal component of red pepper, on the drug metabolizing enzymes in rat liver. Capsaicin (5mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally once a day for seven days and zoxazolamine paralysis time and hexobarbital sleeping time were determined 24 hrs after the last dose of capsaicin. Plasma hexobarbital concentration was also determined five and 15 min after hexobarbital administration to rats. Zoxazolamine paralysis time and hexobarbital sleeping time were shortened by 31.6% and 37.1%, respectively, compared with control group. Plasma hexobarbital concentration was lowered by 26.2% after five min and by 35.2% after 15 min, respectively, compared with control group. However, administration of single dose of capsaicin did not affect the zoxazolamine paralysis time and hexobarbital sleeping time. Microsomal cytochrome P450 content and NADPH-cytochrome C reductase activity were increased by 14.6 % and 11.6%, respectively in the rats pretreated with capsaicin for seven days, while cytochrome b5 content was not changed. These results suggest that treatment with capsaicin for seven days may induce the drug metabolizing enzyme in rat liver.
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