Chemical. CAS 404-86-4. Formula C18H27NO3. MW 305.41. Synthetic. Primary active component of the heat and pain-eliciting lipid-soluble fraction of Capsicum pepper. Acts as an agonist at the vanilloid receptor VR1 TRPV1 receptor, a ligand-gated non-selective cation channel. Capsaicin elicits a sensation of burning pain by activation of TRPV1 on small, non-myelinated polymodal C-type nociceptive nerve fibers. It has been shown to have antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, neuroprotective and anticancer effects.