Purpose: It is known that chilli has untoward effects on the living being on taste buds, gastric mucosa, and other organs. It could lead to gastric cancer through severe acid production. However, we could not blame all chillies (hot, bell, red, cayenne, and sweet) as their capsaicin (CAP) and other capsaicinoids vary in different regions and chilli varieties. This study measured the effect of three chillies (Naga King, Bird’s Eye, and Guntur) on superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of visceral and vital organs. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, a diet fortified with chilli powder was used for feeding Sprague Dawley rats which contained standard 20% protein and chilli powder (0.005% of CAP equivalent) over three months to measure superoxide dismutase levels in six vital, visceral organs/tissues (Adipose, Brain, Heart, Lung, Kidneys and Testes). Finding: Heart tissue followed by brain and lung have shown more SOD levels in the CEG group, whereas in the rest of the groups’ lung tissue had shown a notable increase in SOD levels. NKC and BEC showed a three-fold increase in SOD levels of the lung, whereas the CEG group had a 1.25-fold increase compared to standard diet normal control (SNC). Research limitations/implications: Active components of the chilli have to be tested separately to reach a reproducible conclusion. Oral dosing of chilli’s active component instead of feeding through diet would provide more reliable data. Originality/value: Vital organs like the brain, lungs and kidneys are also affected through chilli consumption; however, its severity and protective role can be understood through oxidative enzymes like SOD.

Purpose: Chilli has been considered a culprit and saviour in various non-communicable disorders in the scientific world. We hypothesise that varying proportions of active principles in different chilli affect its therapeutic potential significantly, and it could be a game-changer in the area of drug discovery. Design/methodology/approach: In this regard, nutritional analysis was performed for three chillies, followed by the animal study on SD rats fed a standard rodent powder diet (20% protein) fortified with 0.005% of capsaicin (CAP) equivalent chilli powder for three months to measure superoxide dismutase (SOD) in five visceral organs/tissues. Finding: The NKC and BEC groups have shown opposite results to the GC and capsaicin equivalent groups (CEG) regarding animal body weight and SOD levels in various tissues. However, there is no change in feed intake. Research limitations/implications: In parallel, serum SOD should have been tested. Other methods for SOD analysis would fetch confirmatory results. Using a mild or moderate stress rodent model would prove its therapeutic efficacy. CAP alone might affect anti-obesity and SOD levels; however, the DHC content of chilli plays an essential role in providing synergistic or antagonistic effects on anti-obesity or activating the antioxidant system depending on the threshold level. It means it could have biphasic properties similar to capsaicin. Originality/value: The present paper generates evidence that capsaicinoid relative proportion in chilli plays an essential role in its therapeutic or negative impact on health. KEYWORDS: Naga King Chilli, Guntur Chilli, Bird’s Eye Chilli, Capsaicin, Wistar rat Paper type: Original article