Isolating Capsaicin for Effective Therapeutic Use

It is well documented that burning from consuming or coming into contact with peppers is caused by the organic molecule capsaicin. Capsaicin is widely recognized as the natural defense mechanism of peppers and has many uses in medicine.¹ Research on capsaicin has shown that capsaicin and its analogs can help reduce cholesterol, blood lipids, and blood sugar, while also offering anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and analgesic benefits.²

Despite this, some research has revealed that: capsaicinoids It is carcinogenic. Further studies showed that the compounds exhibited apoptotic activity in breast and prostate cancers, thus demonstrating complex interactions.³ To add another layer of complexity, capsaicin demonstrated its potential as a chemotherapy-sensitizing agent when combined with 5-Fu, cisplatin, and pirarubicin, thereby increasing the effectiveness of these therapeutic strategies.⁴

In this context, Hamilton began isolating major capsaicinoids using the Hamilton PRP-C18 reversed-phase HPLC column (5 μm). Formic acid (0.1%) was used as the aqueous mobile phase due to its compatibility with mass spectroscopy and UV detection. To test the isocratic method, Bishop’s Crown peppers were dried, ground to a fine powder, and extracted with ethanol before filtering and injection of the sample. The findings showed good correlation with literature values ​​at 10190 Scoville Thermal Units.⁵

Remarkable peak shape, capsaicinoids and PS-DVB core with hydrophobic interactions associated with octadecyl alkyl chains traditionally used for this separation. Unlike traditional ODS columns, which are typically non-regenerable, the Hamilton PRP-C18 column is effortlessly renewable, making the stationary phase an invaluable tool in the synthetic chemist’s toolbox.

Chromatogram and compound results

Source: Hamilton Company

Column Information
Packaging Material	PRP-C18, 5 micron
Dimensions	150×4.6mm
P/N	79676
Chromatographic Conditions
gradient	0.0–7.00 min 40%B 8.01–12.00 min 40–95%B
Heat	35 °C
Injection Volume	5 µL
Perception	UV at 280 nm
Eluent A	0.1% Formic Acid
Eluent B	acetonitrile
Flow Rate	2.0mL/min

Compounds:

1. Nordihydrocapsiate
2. capsaicin
3. Dihydrocapsaicin
4. Capsiate

Image Credit: Hamilton Company

References and further reading

1. Srinivasan K. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016, 56, 1488.
2. Zhang, S., Wang, D., Huang, J., Hu, Y. and Xu, Y. J. Clin. Pharmacy. There. 2020, 45, 16-28.
3. Bode AM, Dong Z. Cancer Res. 2011, 71, 2809-2814.
4. Zheng L, Chen J, Ma Z, et al. Mol Med Rep. 2016, 13, 881-887.
5. Zamljen, T., Jakopč, J., Hudina, M. et al. Science Rep. 2021, 11, 4932.

About Hamilton Company

Hamilton — The Measure of Perfection

Hamilton Company specializes in the development, manufacturing and customization of precision measuring instruments, automatic liquid handling workstations and sample management systems. Hamilton’s processes are optimized for quality and flexibility. Whether it’s a custom needle with a fast delivery timeframe, a custom-length pH sensor, or a comprehensive solution to completely automate your assay workflow, trust Hamilton products to meet your needs.

Hamilton Company has been a leading global manufacturer for over 60 years, headquartered in Reno, Nevada; Franklin, Massachusetts; Timişoara, Romania; Bonaduz, Switzerland; and subsidiary offices worldwide.

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