Scientists say that an ingredient found in chili peppers may hold promise for learning more about how to relieve pain.
Although capsaicin is typically thought of as an ingredient that leads to a burning sensation, researchers at the University at Buffalo suggest it can also be used to treat pain from conditions such as arthritis.
Findings published in the journal PLoS Biology indicate that capsaicin works by stimulating receptors in the skins nerve endings.
“The receptor acts like a gate to the neurons. When stimulated it opens, letting outside calcium enter the cells until the receptor shuts down a process called desensitization,” explained study leader Feng Qin.
When the calcium is released, it changes the level at which the pain signal is communicated to the receptors. The researchers say this information could provide leads for developing anti-pain remedies in the future.
Capsaicin has been used for many years in a range of natural folk remedies, the scientists say. Previous research has also suggested it may be successfully used by arthritis sufferers to treat pain.