Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40091645›Full record

ArticleJournal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology2025

Effects of Oral Topical Capsaicin Gel on Taste Perception in Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study.

Katia Rupel, Alex Buoite Stella, Martina Tamos, Daniela Adamo, Federica Canfora, Matteo Biasotto, Roberto Di Lenarda, Giulia Ottaviani

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Katia RupelDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6150-9439
Alex Buoite StellaDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4871-7022
Martina TamosDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Daniela AdamoDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3784-4229
Federica CanforaDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4610-6690
Matteo BiasottoDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6024-6115
Roberto Di LenardaDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9051-4413
Giulia OttavianiDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3427-0514

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTopical capsaicin is widely used for managing peripheral neuropathies; however, its impact on gustatory perception following prolonged oral use remains unclear. This pilot study aimed to evaluate changes in gustatory sensitivity and food preferences induced by capsaicin topical gel therapy in healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND

methodsTen healthy female subjects applied capsaicin gel (0.025%) to the gingival mucosa twice daily for 14 days. Evaluations were conducted at baseline (T0), after 2 weeks (T1), after 4 weeks (T2), and after 4 weeks following discontinuation (T3). A matched control group underwent identical assessment without capsaicin application. Gustatory changes were measured using a modified taste strip method and a food preferences questionnaire.

resultsWhile subjective alterations in food perception, liking, and preferences were reported in the capsaicin group, no significant objective changes in gustatory perception (intensity and recognition of salty, sweet, sour, and bitter flavors) were observed. Subjective changes were reversible upon cessation of capsaicin use.

conclusionsTopical capsaicin gel influences subjective food perception and preferences without objectively altering gustatory function. These findings highlight the importance of considering such effects when prescribing capsaicin for oral somatosensory disorders, such as burning mouth syndrome or dysgeusia.

Indexed as

CapsaicinSensory System AgentsTaste PerceptionAdministration, OralAdministration, TopicalAdultFemaleFood PreferencesGelsHealthy VolunteersHumansPilot ProjectsYoung AdultCapsaicinGelsSensory System Agentscapsaicin geldysgeusiagustatory sensationtaste strips

Identifiers

PMID40091645
PMCPMC12077945

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.