Chilli pepper partially reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells, the major cell type involved in liver fibrosis in mice.

The mice were divided into two groups where the bile duct of the experimental mice was obstructed by a procedure, Bile duct ligation (BDL), leading to bile accumulation and liver fibrosis in one group and another group was infused with carbon tetrachloride treatment (CCl4), one of the most potent hepatotoxins.
Capsaicin partially reduced liver damage in the BDL mice and inhibited further progression of the injury. In the other group of CCl4-treated mice, capsaicin prevented further liver damage but did not reduce the fibrosis when it was already established.
The results support the need for further investigation into capsaicin for the treatment and prevention of liver injury and fibrosis.
Source-Medindia