Acute Dermal Toxicity and Analgesic Effect of a Capsaicinoid Gel Against Formalin-Induced Pain in Wistar Rats

Background Pain is a major public health concern, often inadequately managed due to the limitations and side effects of conventional analgesics. Capsicum annuum, widely used in traditional medicine, contains capsaicin, a compound with known analgesic properties. Despite its therapeutic promise, data on the dermal toxicity and efficacy of capsaicin-based topical formulations remain limited. Objective The main objective of this study is to evaluate the acute dermal toxicity and analgesic efficacy of a capsaicinoid gel derived from C. annuum in Wistar rats. Methods An acute dermal toxicity test was conducted in female Wistar rats using OECD guideline 402. Rats received a single dermal application of 5% capsaicinoid gel at 200, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg and were observed for clinical signs over 14 days. Analgesic activity was evaluated using a formalin-induced paw-licking model. Male rats received topical treatments of capsaicinoid gel (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) or 1% diclofenac gel (positive control), followed by formalin injection. Pain behavior was scored in early (0-10 minutes) and late (15-60 minutes) phases. Hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed after 21 days. Results No mortality was observed. Transient dermal and autonomic effects (e.g., erythema, tremors) were noted at higher doses but resolved spontaneously. The gel significantly reduced formalin-induced pain behaviors in both test phases, particularly at higher doses. Hematological and biochemical parameters showed mild, dose-related changes but remained within physiological ranges. Conclusion The 5% capsaicinoid gel exhibited promising analgesic effects and an acceptable safety profile in rats. These findings support its potential as a topical analgesic, warranting further formulation optimization and chronic toxicity evaluation.