Is Capsaicin a Pain Inducer or Killer? A Review of its Related Mechanisms

Section: Review Paper
Issue
Vol. 22 No. 2 (2025): Volume 22 Issue 2
Published
Jun 1, 2025
Pages
87-98

Abstract

Background: Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for the hot and irritating characteristics of chili peppers. Because it produces both heat and pain, this phytochemical is a valuable means of scientific investment for pain research.Aim: This study examines the processes underlying capsaicin-induced pain, emphasizing its importance in understanding brain pain modulation. It also highlights the therapeutic uses of capsaicin in pain management and its analgesic characteristics. Moreover, the major objective is to better understand the dual role of capsaicin as both a pain inducer and a pain killer. Method: The authors gathered data from several published studies abstracted from many indexing platforms, including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed, between 2015 and 2024. Results: The findings demonstrate that capsaicin initially functions as a pain stimulant but, with extended application, becomes an excellent analgesic. Conclusion: Given its active role in pain regulation, it can regard capsaicin as an intriguing model to potentially understand the molecular mechanism behind pain induction and relief.

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Authors

Ayman Faris Faisal

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

ORCID
Yasser Fakri Mustafa

Pharmacology Department, International Medical School, Management and Science, University, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

ORCID
Mahfoudh A.M. Abdulghani
ORCID
Chou-Yi Hsu

Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University Tempe Campus, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

ORCID

Identifiers

https://doi.org/10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.154842.1115
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Faris Faisal, A., Fakri Mustafa, Y., A.M. Abdulghani, M., & Hsu, C.-Y. (2025). Is Capsaicin a Pain Inducer or Killer? A Review of its Related Mechanisms. Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy, 22(2), 87–98. https://doi.org/10.33899/iraqij.p.2025.154842.1115