Capsicum annuum
Piment de bresse
Capsicum annuum, commonly known as chili peppers or bell peppers, is a versatile medicinal plant celebrated for its bioactive compounds. Rich in capsaicin, it offers potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. Widely used in traditional medicine, this species plays a crucial role in managing pain and supporting metabolic health.
- Scientific name: Capsicum annuum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Capsicum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Capsicum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Capsicum annuum, is celebrated for its unique culinary varieties across different regions. In French, it is frequently referred to as piment de Bresse, poivre rouge de Romenay, or poivre rouge de Bresse, and it is also identified by the English common name piment de Bresse.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | piment de Bresse | Wikidata |
| en | piment de Bresse | Wikidata |
| fr | poivre rouge de Romenay | Wikidata |
| fr | poivre rouge de Bresse | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also present in Austria. Its range extends further into the Czech-Slovak region as well. Finally, the geographical spread of Capsicum annuum includes Germany within the central part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Capsicum annuum, is a versatile medicinal species characterized by several distinct anatomical structures. The most commonly utilized part is the fleshy fruit, which is often referred to in the plural as fruits when discussing various cultivars like peppers or chilies. Within each fruit, the tiny, teardrop-shaped seeds contain concentrated amounts of capsaicin, a compound known for its analgesic properties. To support the plant's growth and nutrient uptake, a sturdy system of roots anchors it into the soil, while the herbaceous stems provide the necessary framework to transport water and minerals throughout the organism.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peppers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pepper fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Capsicum annuum has 162 reported phytochemicals identified across 239 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include capsaicin, capsanthin, capsaicinoids, flavonoids, capsorubin.
- Total chemicals
- 162
- Scientific sources
- 239
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| capsaicin | 23 | ★★★★★ |
| capsanthin | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| capsaicinoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| capsorubin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dihydrocapsaicin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| salicylic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Capsaicin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antheraxanthin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| beta-carotene | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Capsicum annuum has 10 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Analgesic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiobesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotriglyceridemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Capsicum annuum has 60 reported medicinal uses identified across 71 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, carcinogenesis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetic neuropathy, oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 60
- Scientific sources
- 71
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| carcinogenesis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetic neuropathy | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| postherpetic neuralgia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salt stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scabies | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Babesia bovis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |