Emerging Technologies to Improve Capsaicin Delivery and its Therapeutic Efficacy

Abstract

Capsaicin, a pungent alkaloid of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) is responsible for the “hot and spicy” taste of chili. Also, Capsaicin is a pharmaceutical agent with broad thera- peutic applications in controlling different diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, pain, and other inflammatory diseases. Capsaicin therapeutic effect is dependent on various factors like the concentration of capsaicin, delivery to different cell types, route of admin- istration, and their metabolism. Improvement in the delivery of capsaicin will increase its therapeutic efficacy. Recent advancement in various technologies had provided numer- ous strategies to deliver capsaicin. This chapter outlines different strategies for using multiple new materials, formulations for the capsaicin delivery and improve their thera- peutic efficacy as well their advantages and disadvantages.