Hot peppers, pain and analgesics

摘要: The hot pepper, or more precicely capsaicin, the component of chilli peppers Capsicum family, was key that opened new horizons in field analgesics and pharmacology nociceptors. It is surprising during last century real breakthroughs drug development were not achieved. Remarkably, medical doctors at end 19th used act on opioid receptors cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, just as contemporary physicians do. Until quite recently, no chapters drugs acting nociceptive sensory neurons could be found modern textbooks, striking contrast to several sympathetic parasympathetic nervous system, for which a continuously growing number targets has been revealed. roots this flourishing autonomic system can traced back analysis mode action naturally occurring such nicotine (Langley Dickinson, 18891), ergotoxine (Dale, 19062) atropine (Loewi, 19213). These brilliant studies alkaloids provided first evidence very existence mediators neurohumoral transmission raised clues (for references, see [1]). An experimental study by Andreas Hőgyes [2], published pioneering period pharmacology, attempt describe actions capsaicin under conditions. observations led conclude compound acts mainly nerves (‘Capsicol hauptsachlich auf die sensiblen Nerven wirkte’). In traditional treatments arthritic diseases, applied topically ‘counterirritant’, but its remained neglected seven decades [3, 4].