Capsaicinoids: Nanoformulations for Improved Therapeutic Applications

Chili peppers owe their pungent and spicy flavor to capsaicinoids, bioactive alkaloids that have been extracted from them using various methods over the past few decades. Capsaicinoids act as the most powerful activators of the human pain receptor TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1). These compounds are currently obtained through either chemical synthesis or extraction from the fruit. By transferring the biosynthesis of capsaicinoids to a microbial host, it could lead to more efficient production through fermentation and allow for the creation of new compounds with potentially superior properties using synthetic biology. Through biological studies, capsaicinoids have been found to offer several pharmacological benefits, including pain relief, anti-inflammation, anticancer properties, cardioprotection, and even aiding in weight loss. The way capsaicinoids interact with the body is directly influenced by its pharmacokinetic properties. It has an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile characterized by the presence of toxic metabolites and a short half-life, which can harm healthy cells. Studies have indicated that capsaicin tends to accumulate primarily in the liver and intestines, leading to lower concentrations of the medication in other tissues and potentially reducing its efficacy. When capsaicin is taken orally, it is rapidly metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, resulting in a short half-life of only 25 min and the production of active metabolites that could cause mutagenic effects dependent on the dose. All these demerits are overcome via utilizing nanotechnology. Nanotechnology utilizes the distinctive characteristics of materials at the nanoscale, and has gained widespread acceptance in numerous industries due to its ability to create superior and more intelligent products. The nanocarriers, such as liposomes, nanoemulsions, self-assembled nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, and micelles are utilized to encapsulate or load capsaicinoids. This has resulted in improved biomedical applications, including drug and gene delivery, as well as detection and quantification purposes. This chapter provides a comprehensive information on the roles of capsaicinoid-loaded nanocarriers in therapeutics, detection, and quantification.