Cardiopulmonary function and dysregulated cardiopulmonary reflexes following acute oleoresin capsicum exposure in rats.

Cardiopulmonary functions such as respiratory depression, severe irritation, inflamed respiratory tract, hyperventilation and, tachycardia are the most affected ones when it comes to the riot control agent oleoresin capsicum (OC) exposure. However, no studies have been done to elucidate the mechanism underlying deterioration of the combined cardiopulmonary functions. Parameters such as acute respiratory, cardiac, parameters and ultrasonography (USG) measurements were investigated in an in vivo setup using Wistar rats at 1 h and 24 h post inhalation exposure to 2%, 6% and 10% OC, whereas, cell migration in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), metabolomics and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were investigated in an in vitro setup. Results obtained from electrophysiological recording indicated that OC exposure produces apnea and decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was obtained from hemodynamic parameters whereas cardiac parameters assessment revealed increase in the level of cardiac output (CO) and decrease in stroke volume (SV) with recovery towards the post-exposure period. A decrease in the percentage area of certain fatty acid pathway metabolites in BALF appropriately linked the lung injury following OC exposure which was further cemented by increasing concentration of EPO. Histopathology and SEM also proved to be favorable techniques for the detection of OC induced physiological cardiac and pulmonary modifications respectively. Furthermore, Boyden chamber experiment established the chemoattractant property of OC. It may be concluded from the above studies that these newly reported facets may be utilized pharmacologically to mitigate cardiopulmonary adverse effects owing to OC exposure.

Fundamental pharmacological expressions on ocular exposure to capsaicin, the principal constituent in pepper sprays.

Eye irritation assessment is compulsory to anticipate health risks in military personnel exposed to riot control agents such as capsaicin, the principal constituent of oleoresin capsicum, or pepper sprays. The present work investigates certain fundamental yet unaddressed pharmacological manifestations on ocular exposure to capsaicin. Ocular pharmacology of capsaicin was studied using acute eye irritation (AEI), bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) assay, corneal fluorescein staining and indirect ophthalmoscopy studies, transcorneal permeation, Schirmer tear secretion test, nerve conduction velocity study and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, histopathology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of bovine corneas and rat optic nerves were done to further estimate capsaicin induced morphological variations. Our findings demonstrated that AEI, BCOP, corneal fluorescein staining and indirect ophthalmoscopy were useful in assessing capsaicin induced ocular irritation; AEI and BCOP also contributed towards indicating the eye irritation potential of capsaicin as per the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals categorization. Additional experimental observations include considerable transcorneal permeation of capsaicin, capsaicin induced reduction in tear secretions and nerve conduction velocity and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines by ELISA. Histopathology and SEM were favourable techniques for the detection of capsaicin induced ocular physiological modifications.