Black and red peppers attenuates plasma and lipopolysaccharide-induced splenocytes production of tumor necrosis factor-α in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet

•Effects ofblack and red pepperson TNF-α and lipids of mice are examined.•Both black and red peppers alleviate plasma and LPS-stimulated splenocytes production of TNF-α.•Both black and red peppers prevent increase in liver cholesterol levels in mice.•Black pepper reduces plasma LDL cholesterol and red pepper raise plasma HDL cholesterol in mice.