Red Hot Chili Peppers Lead To New Pain Research Findings

While the number one reason patients go to the doctor is to address some form of pain, there has been no breakthrough class of pain drugs for many decades. Currently, there are two major classes of pain therapeutics: opiates, such as morphine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin. Both of these classes of compounds have been used to treat patients for centuries, originally as plant extracts and more recently in the forms with which we're familiar today.

The Chili Pepper Connection

As part of ongoing efforts to find the next generation of treatments for pain, Abbott researchers started looking at another natural product, capsaicin. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that causes a burning sensation in the mouth. If capsaicin is administered for a longer period of time, that initial burning sensation goes away and one can obtain pain relief. People have been applying capsaicin in topical ointments and patches for some years. The problem is that with repeated topical use, capsaicin overactivates the receptors that modulate it, and may wind up eventually destroying the nerve fibers on which the receptor sits.

Approximately seven years ago, the TRPV1, or vanilloid, receptor was identified as a receptor that mediates that burning sensation associated with capsaicin in hot peppers. Abbott scientists thought that by identifying a highly selective blocker of the TRPV1 receptor that they be able to illicit pain relief across a broad spectrum of pain states. Importantly, a selective blocker would not elicit the initial burning sensation associated with capsaicin and repeated use would not damage the nerve fibers.

Compounds have been identified which block this receptor and could address the unmet pain management needs for cancer, osteoarthritis pain and post-operative pain.

Abbott's Neuroscience Work

Neuroscience is an extremely complex area and while many advances have been made in the treatment of neurological conditions, a huge unmet medical need still exists. Abbott's efforts are focused on devastating disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as pain management.

Despite the fact that there are treatments on the market for patients with these diseases and conditions, many patients don't respond to existing therapies, and those who do frequently deal with what are often severe side effects. Our goal at Abbott is to advance innovative approaches that address the unmet needs of patients.

Abbott's neuroscience business is anchored by Depakote, used by millions of patients for mania associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy and prevention of migraine headaches.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers Lead To New Pain Research Findings