Capsaicin: identification, nomenclature, and pharmacotherapy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and pharmacotherapy of capsaicin.
• Natural product chemistry and analysis.
• Neuroscience and pain management.

Background:

• Capsaicin is the primary active compound in Capsicum species.
• It belongs to the vanillyl fatty acid amide group.
• Historical use of Capsicum spp. is documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the chemical history, analysis, nomenclature, biology, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy of capsaicin.
• To differentiate pure capsaicin from synthetic adulterants like nonivamide.
• To highlight the therapeutic applications of capsaicin.

Main Methods:

• Literature search using Chemical Abstracts, Biological Abstracts, and MEDLINE.
• Selection of pertinent articles, reviews, and abstracts.
• Qualitative review of available material due to volume.

Main Results:

• Capsaicin is a vanillyl fatty acid amide with distinct structure from synthetic analogs.
• Synthetic analogs like nonivamide have been found as adulterants in capsaicin products.
• Pure capsaicin depletes substance P from sensory neurons.
• Crude capsicum oleoresin contains numerous compounds and shows variable efficacy.
• Pure capsaicin is effective in treating painful conditions like arthritis and neuropathies.

Conclusions:

• Pure capsaicin offers specific therapeutic benefits by targeting substance P.
• Adulteration with synthetic analogs complicates product quality and efficacy.
• Further research is needed to confirm natural origins of some synthetic analogs.
• Capsaicin's targeted mechanism contrasts with the complex composition of crude oleoresin.