Pharmaceuticals capsaicin

Dietary compounds are represented in a number of highly successful drugs such as lovastatin 31 and salicylic acid, the archetypal statin and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, respectively. Lovastatin occurs in the red yeast of rice Monascus ruber),91 an ingredient of Eastern cuisine used to give a red colour to the Pekinese duck, while salicylic acid is ubiquitous in plants.92 Other important dietary drug candidates are curcumin 32 from turmeric and capsaicin from hot pepper 33,93 while traces of pharmaceutical benzodiazepines (including diazepam) occur in common edible plants such as potatoes and cherries.5... 

The combination of these elements generates the diversity of capsaicinoids reported to date. Generally, the major constituent of the capsaicinoid soup are capsaicin (la) and its dihydroderivative (lb). Commercial capsaicin potvder is an approximately 5 1 mixture of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, while analytical (>95 %) capsaicin contains mainly nonivamide as impurity. Despite its trivial name of synthetic capsaicin, nonivamide is a natural trace constituent of capsicum oleoresin, and concentration >3 % are indicative of adulteration [26]. The addition of nonivamide to capsicum oleoresin has been detected in products from both the food and the pharmaceutical markets. Some of them have been found to contain exclusively nonivamide, even though capsaicin is the only individual constituent of capsicum oleoresin to be approved by the FDA for human use [26]. 

Capsaicin is supplied pharmaceutically as a cream, gel. or lotion. The First application of the piepatation produces intense pain and irritation at the site of application, but usually no skin reaction occurs. Repeated applications cause desensitization, and eventually analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects occur., Stimulation of afferent nerve tracts causes a heat. sensation. 

A number of agents are in development. As inferred earlier, suppression of the TRPV-1 capsaicin receptor is a very likely target for cough inhibition. A number of pharmaceutical companies have developed TRPV-1 antagonists which are... 

Maruzen Pharmaceuticals. 2002. Data on Capsicum annuum fruit extract UV absorption, concentration of use, and skin irritation. Cited in Johnson, W. 2007. Final report on the safety assessment of Capsicum annuum extract. Capsicum annuum fruit extract. Capsicum annuum resin. Capsicum annuum fruit pxrwder. Capsicum frutescens fruit. Capsicum frutescens fruit extract. Capsicum frutescens resin, and capsaicin. Int. J. Toxicol. 26(Sup>pL 1) 3-106. 

Most of the determinations were carried out with pure substances or in pharmaceutical materials capsaicine was determined in plant materials by this method. 

The highly significant work done in connection with Taxol illustrates the importance of screening natural sources for possible medically useful and active compounds. It stresses the need for international cooperation in the preservation of natural resources and collaboration in the identification, development and testing of potential new pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. Natural products are compounds isolated from natural sources and include Taxol, mescaline and capsaicin. Many of the drugs derived from natural sources are chiral, including nicotine, dopamine, thyroxine and naproxen, and this is the topic we now move on to consider. 

The traditional assessment of capsicum is by means of a pungency test. Obviously such a test leaves much to be desired and a method is now available for the determination of capsaicin which is known to be the only substance responsible for the pungency of capsicum. The method given below, which is based on one recommended by the joint Pharmaceutical Society/Society for Analytical Chemistry Committee on methods of assay... 

The high predominance of capsaicin in Capsicum fruits makes this alka-mide the most studied to evaluate the pharmacological activity of capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is also the capsaicinoid most widely used as pharmaceutical. 

Uses EmollienL aniimicroblal, emulsifier for personal care, pharmaceuticals, wound healing ointments, skin care, psoriasis treatmenL liq. hand soaps, ear rinses for pets penetrant for actives such as lidocaine, capsaicin Into skin emulsion stabilizer anticaries agent, plaque Inhibitor in toothpaste and mouth rinses food-contact adhesives and cellophane... 

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