Skip to Content
Merck

Key Documents

View All Documentation

21750

Capsaicin

from Capsicum sp., ≥50% (HPLC)

Synonym(s):

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

Sign In to View Organizational & Contract Pricing.

Select a Size

Change View

About This Item

Linear Formula:
(CH3)2CHCH=CH(CH2)4CONHCH2C6H3-4-(OH)-3-(OCH3)
CAS Number:
404-86-4
Molecular Weight:
305.41
UNSPSC Code:
12352200
NACRES:
NA.25
PubChem Substance ID:
57647941
EC Number:
206-969-8
Beilstein/REAXYS Number:
2816484
MDL number:
MFCD00017259
Technical Service
Need help? Our team of experienced scientists is here for you.
Let Us Assist

biological source

Capsicum sp.

Quality Level

100

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

human ... CYP1A2(1544), TRPV1(7442)
rat ... Trpv1(83810), Trpv4(66026)

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.
Prototype vanilloid receptor agonist; neurotoxin. Active component of chili peppers.

Still not finding the right product?

Explore all of our products under Capsaicin

signalword

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

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

ppe

Eyeshields, Faceshields, Gloves, type P2 (EN 143) respirator cartridges

Choose from one of the most recent versions:

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number
BCCK6717
BCCD6805
BCBJ2271V
BCBH7471V
1437650V

Don't see the Right Version?

If you require a particular version, you can look up a specific certificate by the Lot or Batch number.

Search for a COA

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

M J Caterina et al.
Science (New York, N.Y.), 288(5464), 306-313 (2000-04-15)
The capsaicin (vanilloid) receptor VR1 is a cation channel expressed by primary sensory neurons of the "pain" pathway. Heterologously expressed VR1 can be activated by vanilloid compounds, protons, or heat (>43 degrees C), but whether this channel contributes to chemical
Capsaicin is a New Gastrointestinal Mucosal Protecting Drug Candidate in Humans?Pharmaceutical Development and Production Based on Clinical Pharmacology
Capsaicin-sensitive Neural Afferentation and the Gastrointestinal Tract: From Bench to Bedside (2014)
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
View All Related Papers