molecules Review Capsaicin: Current Understanding of Its Mechanisms and Therapy of Pain and Other Pre-Clinical and Clinical Uses Victor Fattori †, Miriam S. N. Hohmann †, Ana C. Rossaneis, Felipe A. Pinho-Ribeiro and Waldiceu A. Verri Jr. * Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid KM480 PR445, Caixa Postal 10.011, 86057-970 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil;
[email protected] (V.F.);
[email protected] (M.S.N.H.);
[email protected] (A.C.R.);
[email protected] (F.A.P.-R.) * Correspondence:
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[email protected]; Tel.: +55-43-3371-4979 † These authors contributed equally to this paper. Academic Editor: Pin Ju Chueh Received: 27 April 2016; Accepted: 27 April 2016; Published: 28 June 2016 Abstract: In this review, we discuss the importance of capsaicin to the current understanding of neuronal modulation of pain and explore the mechanisms of capsaicin-induced pain. We will focus on the analgesic effects of capsaicin and its clinical applicability in treating pain. Furthermore, we will draw attention to the rationale for other clinical therapeutic uses and implications of capsaicin in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, airway diseases, itch, gastric, and urological disorders. Keywords: analgesia; capsaicinoids; chili peppers; desensitization; TRPV1 1. Introduction Capsaicin is a compound found in chili peppers and responsible for their burning and irritant effect. In addition to the sensation of heat, capsaicin produces pain and, for this reason, is an important tool in the study of pain. Although our understanding of pain mechanisms has evolved greatly through the development of new techniques, experimental tools are still extremely necessary and widely used.