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capsaicin

(Science: chemical) Trans-8-methyl-n-vanillyl-6-nonenamide. Cytotoxic alkaloid from various species of capsicum (pepper, paprika), of the solanaceae; causes pain, irritation and inflammation;, due to substance p depletion from sensory (afferent) nerve fibres; used mainly to study the physiology of pain and in the form of capsicum as a counterirritant and gastrointestinal stimulant.

chemical name: 6-Nonenamide, N-((4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl)-8-methyl-, (E)-