Capsaicin blocks Ca2+ channels in isolated rat trigeminal and hippocampal neurones

Abstract
Effects of capsaicin, an essential ingredient of hot peppers, on high voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels were investigated in voltage-clamped and internally perfused acutely dissociated rat trigeminal and hippocampal neurones. In micromolar concentrations capsaicin inhibited the whole HVA Ca2+ current without affecting resting membrane conductance in both types of neurones. IC50 values of 14.5 μM and 21.2 μM (n = 5) were obtained in sensory and hippocampal neurones, respectively. Capsaicin-induced inhibition became irreversible after prolonged incubation (30s) with the drug. It is concluded that capsaicin is a nonspecific blocker of HVA Ca2+ channels in different types of nerve cells.

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