Evaluation of Capsaicin's Use in Analgesic Medicine

Abstract

ABSTRACT Capsaicin, trans-methyl N-vanillyl-nonenamide, is the major pungent compound derived from the hot pepper plant. Regular and cumulative topical applications of capsaicin cream has been shown to produce analgesic effects in many painful medical conditions. This effect is mediated by a neuronal mechanism which involves the depletion of substance P from C-fiber sensory neurons. The elucidation of a receptor-mediated mechanism at the vanilloid receptor has further explained the biochemical events observed with capsaicin use. Use of capsaicin in the therapeutic setting is desirable due to its non-narcotic non-steroidal properties. Toxcity symptoms are evident only in large doses. This review includes research on capsaicin's use as an analgesic in three painful medical conditions: postherpetic neuralgia, osteoarthri-tis and postmastectomy pain syndrome. All report some degree of improvement in pain with capsacin use. Although only a small sample of medical conditions are represented here, a variety of o...