Capsaicin is a chemical compound known for being the active component that gives chili peppers their heat. Here's the breakdown of the name:
The name describes the structure of the molecule:
- Capsa derives from "Capsicum", the botanical genus that includes chili peppers. Capsaicin is the main spicy component found in many varieties of chili peppers.
- The suffix "-icin" is commonly used in chemistry to denote a substance or compound.
Raw Materials and Their Functions
Chili Peppers. The natural source of capsaicin. Chili peppers contain varying levels of capsaicin, depending on their variety and maturity.
Industrial Production of Capsaicin
- Extraction. The process begins with the extraction of capsaicin from chili peppers. This can be done using organic solvents like ethanol or acetone, which dissolve the capsaicin from the fruits.
- Purification. After extraction, the capsaicin solution is purified to remove impurities and solvent residues.
Form and Color
Capsaicin is typically a solid in the form of crystalline powder. This compound is usually white or slightly yellowish.
What it is used for and where
Medical
Capsaicin is primarily used in pharmaceutical products and topical creams for pain treatment, such as pain relief creams for muscle and joint pain (1). Capsaicin is known for its analgesic properties, acting on pain receptors and providing temporary relief. It is also used in some weight loss products although studies find it has rather modest results (2) and dietary supplements because of its thermogenic properties that can help increase metabolism.
In some applications, Capsaicin is used to treat psoriasis (3).
Cosmetics
Fragrance. It plays a decisive and important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.
Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
CAS 404-86-4
EC number 206-969-8
References_________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Frias B, Merighi A. Capsaicin, Nociception and Pain. Molecules. 2016 Jun 18;21(6):797. doi: 10.3390/molecules21060797. PMID: 27322240; PMCID: PMC6273518.
Abstract. Capsaicin, the pungent ingredient of the hot chili pepper, is known to act on the transient receptor potential cation channel vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1). TRPV1 is involved in somatic and visceral peripheral inflammation, in the modulation of nociceptive inputs to spinal cord and brain stem centers, as well as the integration of diverse painful stimuli. In this review, we first describe the chemical and pharmacological properties of capsaicin and its derivatives in relation to their analgesic properties. We then consider the biochemical and functional characteristics of TRPV1, focusing on its distribution and biological effects within the somatosensory and viscerosensory nociceptive systems. Finally, we discuss the use of capsaicin as an agonist of TRPV1 to model acute inflammation in slices and other ex vivo preparations.
(2) Zhang W, Zhang Q, Wang L, Zhou Q, Wang P, Qing Y, Sun C. The effects of capsaicin intake on weight loss among overweight and obese subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2023 Nov 14;130(9):1645-1656. doi: 10.1017/S0007114523000697.
Abstract. Animal studies have shown that capsaicin plays a positive role in weight management. However, the results in human research are controversial. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of capsaicin on weight loss in adults. We searched PubMed, Embase, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Cochrane library and clinical registration centre, identifying all randomised controlled trials (RCT) published in English and Chinese to 3 May 2022. A random-effect model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 % CI. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by the Cochran Q statistic and I-squared tests (I 2 ). Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 15.1. P-values < 0·05 were considered as statistically significant. From 2377 retrieved studies, fifteen studies were finally included in the meta-analyses. Fifteen RCT with 762 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the supplementation of capsaicin resulted in significant reduction on BMI (WMD: -0·25 kg/m2, 95 % CI = -0·35, -0·15 kg/m2, P < 0·05), body weight (BW) (WMD: -0·51 kg, 95 % CI = -0·86, -0·15 kg, P < 0·05) and waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -1·12 cm, 95 % CI = -2·00, -0·24 cm, P < 0·05). We found no detrimental effect of capsaicin on waist-to-hip ratio (WMD: -0·05, 95 % CI = -0·17, 0·06, P > 0·05). The current meta-analysis suggests that capsaicin supplementation may have rather modest effects in reducing BMI, BW and WC for overweight or obese individuals.
(3) Ellis CN, Berberian B, Sulica VI, Dodd WA, Jarratt MT, Katz HI, Prawer S, Krueger G, Rex IH Jr, Wolf JE. A double-blind evaluation of topical capsaicin in pruritic psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993 Sep;29(3):438-42. doi: 10.1016/0190-9622(93)70208-b.
Abstract. Background: Substance P, an undecapeptide neurotransmitter, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of psoriasis and pruritus. Objective: Safety and efficacy of topical capsaicin, a potent substance P depletor, were evaluated in patients with pruritic psoriasis....Conclusion: Topically applied capsaicin effectively treats pruritic psoriasis, a finding that supports a role for substance P in this disorder.
Capsaicin 
