Safety Evaluation and Plasma Carotenoid Accumulation in Healthy Adult Subjects after 12 Weeks of Paprika Oleoresin Supplementation

Paprika oleoresin is obtained by solvent extraction from Capsicum annuum L. fruits and contains multiple carotenoids, such as capsanthin, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin, which are considered protective against various diseases. Herein, we investigated the effect of paprika oleoresin supplementation on plasma carotenoid accumulation and evaluated the safety of the oleoresin. We used a double-blinded, placebo-controlled comparative clinical study design and tested the effects of varying doses in healthy adult subjects. In total, 33 subjects were randomly divided into three groups to take capsules containing 0, 20, or 100 mg of paprika oleoresin daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and the safety of paprika oleoresin capsules was investigated using analyses of blood biochemistry, hematology, and urine contents. In these experiments, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin dose-dependently accumulated in plasma within the dose range of the study over 12 consecutive weeks of paprika oleoresin supplementation. Moreover, beta-cryptoxanthin accumulated to higher levels than the other paprika oleoresin carotenoids. In contrast, capsanthin was not detected in plasma before or during the 12-week treatment period. Finally, no adverse events were associated with intake of paprika oleoresin (20 and 100 mg/day) in safety evaluations. Paprika oleoresin is a suitable source of carotenoids, especially beta-cryptoxanthin.