Re: Not only good for clearing London streets

On Oct 4, 7:32 pm, Sandy Cruden <sandycru...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Daily Mail UK

Scientists discover that chilli could be the 'holy grail' of
anaesthetics
By FIONA MACRAE

Taking the heat out of pain: Chillis have been used to produce the new
painkiller

Chillis could be soon hot stuff in dental surgeries and operating
theatres.

The compound which gives the peppers their zing has been used to make
the 'holy grail' of anaesthetics - a drug that wipes out pain without
numbness and paralysis.

Such a painkiller could have a multitude of uses, from easing the
trauma of childbirth, to making trips to the dentist more bearable.

It could even be used to calm the chronic itching of eczema and other
skin conditions.

Scientists say the drug, which is a combination of the chilli chemical
capsaicin and a compound related to the commonly-used anaesthetic
lidocaine, is unique in its ability to dull pain without affecting
movement or touch.

Traditional anaesthetics have a more wide-ranging effect, acting on
cells involved in movement and touch as well as those that sense pain.

Dr Story Landis, of the US National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, which funded the study, said: 'The Holy Grail in
pain science is to eliminate pathologic pain without impairing
thinking, alertness, coordination or other vital functions of the
nervous system.

'This shows that a specific combination of two molecules can block
only pain-related neurons. It holds the promise of major future
breakthroughs for the millions of persons who suffer with disabling
pain.'

Rats given an injection of the anaesthetic were able to tolerate more
heat than usual, while moving around normally, the journal Nature
reports.

Researcher Professor Clifford Woolf, of Harvard Medical School and
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston in the US, said: 'We're
optimistic that this method will eventually be applied to humans and
change our experience during procedures ranging from knee surgery to
tooth extractions.

'Eventually this method could completely transform surgical and post-
surgical analgesia, allowing patients to remain fully alert without
experiencing pain or paralysis.

'In fact, the possibilities seem endless. I could even imagine using
this method to treat itch, as itch-sensitive neurons fall into the
same group as pain-sensing ones.'

In time, it may be possible to package it in pill form, rather than
giving it as an injection.

There are, however, several hurdles to be crossed before the technique
can be tested on human patients.

Scientists will have to find a way of removing the temporary burning
sensation associated with the use of capsaicin, as well as prolonging
the pain-relieving effect of the drug.

This is not the first time that capsaicin has been shown to have
promise in medicine.

The chemical, which is also found in pepper sprays used to control
riots, has been shown to make cancer cells self-destruct.

Capsaicin helps prevent and heals stomach ulcers and has anti-
inflammatory properties - something which could lead to new treatments
for arthritis.

Chilli is also thought to speed up the metabolism, aiding weight loss,
and ancient cultures used the spice as an antiseptic and to treat
cholera and bronchitis.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/dietfitness.html?in_article_id=485486&in_page_id=1798

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