Drug from chilli peppers ‘could cure obesity’, researchers say

A drug based on the chemical which makes chillies hot could be the key to helping people to lose weight, a new study has suggested.

The drug, Metabocin, was designed to slowly release capsaicin – the chemical which gives chilis their ‘kick’ – throughout the day, to stop it producing irritation.

Previous studies have shown that capsaicin, a chemical found in hot peppers, can reduce food intake.

Mice treated with Metabocin lost weight, and had improved metabolic health, the researchers say.

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Dr. Baskaran Thyagarajan of the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy said, ‘We observed marked improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, insulin response, and symptoms of fatty liver disease.’

The research team developed Metabocin, which can be taken orally, to target receptors called TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1) that are found in high numbers in fat cells.

Stimulating the TRPV1 receptors causes white fat cells to start burning energy instead of storing it, which, in theory, should cause weight loss.

The researchers say that simply eating chillies won’t work – Metabocin is designed for slow release.

Thyagarajan said, ‘It proved safe and was well tolerated by the mice. Developing Metabocin as a potent anti-obesity treatment shows promise as part of a robust strategy for helping people struggling with obesity.’