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21750

Sigma-Aldrich

Capsaicin

from Capsicum sp., ≥50% (HPLC)

Synonym(s):

8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-trans-6-nonenamide

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
(CH3)2CHCH=CH(CH2)4CONHCH2C6H3-4-(OH)-3-(OCH3)
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
305.41
Beilstein:
2816484
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352200
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.25

biological source

Capsicum sp.

Quality Level

form

powder

concentration

≥50% (HPLC)

impurities

~35% dihydrocapsaicin

mp

62-65 °C (lit.)
62-66 °C

solubility

H2O: insoluble

application(s)

metabolomics
vitamins, nutraceuticals, and natural products

storage temp.

2-8°C

SMILES string

COc1cc(CNC(=O)CCCC\C=C\C(C)C)ccc1O

InChI

1S/C18H27NO3/c1-14(2)8-6-4-5-7-9-18(21)19-13-15-10-11-16(20)17(12-15)22-3/h6,8,10-12,14,20H,4-5,7,9,13H2,1-3H3,(H,19,21)/b8-6+

InChI key

YKPUWZUDDOIDPM-SOFGYWHQSA-N

Gene Information

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General description

Capsaicin occurs as the active ingredient of hot/red pepper and was first obtained by Thresh in 1846. It is a lipophilic vanilloid compound responsible for the acrid taste of hot peppers.

Application

Capsaicin has been used in the development and pharmaceutical production of a gastrointestinal mucosal protective drug.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Capsaicin shows its activity by binding to vanilloid receptors and eliciting a nociceptive response. It shows an analgesic effect in neuropathic and musculoskeletal disorders. Capsaicin is also used in the management of bladder detrusor hyperreflexia.
Prototype vanilloid receptor agonist. Neurotoxin; activates sensory neurons that give rise to unmyelinated C-fibers, many of which contain substance P. Topical application desensitizes the sensory nerve endings giving a paradoxical antinociceptive effect; systemic administration can be neurotoxic to capsaicin-sensitive cells, especially in newborn animals. Active component of chili peppers.

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 2 Oral - Eye Dam. 1 - Resp. Sens. 1 - Skin Irrit. 2 - Skin Sens. 1 - STOT SE 3

Target Organs

Respiratory system

Storage Class Code

6.1A - Combustible, acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

235.4 °F - closed cup

Flash Point(C)

113 °C - closed cup

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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Lorna Mason et al.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 328(7446), 991-991 (2004-03-23)
To determine the efficacy and safety of topically applied capsaicin for chronic pain from neuropathic or musculoskeletal disorders. Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PubMed, an in-house database, and contact with manufacturers of topical capsaicin. Randomised controlled trials comparing topically applied capsaicin
S W Hwang et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 97(11), 6155-6160 (2000-05-24)
Capsaicin, a pungent ingredient of hot peppers, causes excitation of small sensory neurons, and thereby produces severe pain. A nonselective cation channel activated by capsaicin has been identified in sensory neurons and a cDNA encoding the channel has been cloned
Jennifer Leech et al.
American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 188(9), 1069-1075 (2013-10-08)
Antitussive therapies are accompanied by a substantial placebo effect, indicating that inhibitory circuits in the brain have a significant capacity to regulate cough neural processing. However, essentially nothing is known about the identity of these inhibitory circuits or how they
Emma C Y Hilton et al.
The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 132(4), 847-855 (2013-06-20)
Inhaled capsaicin elicits cough reproducibly in human subjects and is widely used in the study of cough and antitussive therapies. However, the traditional end points C2 and C5 (the concentrations of capsaicin inducing at least 2 or 5 coughs, respectively)
Jessica O'Neill et al.
Pharmacological reviews, 64(4), 939-971 (2012-10-02)
A large number of pharmacological studies have used capsaicin as a tool to activate many physiological systems, with an emphasis on pain research but also including functions such as the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the urinary tract. Understanding

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