CAPSAICIN IN A LOCAL ANESTHETIC-BASED IONIC LIQUID TO SELECTIVELY INCREASE THE ANESTHETIC POTENCY

• Grant number: 17/13004-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: November 01, 2017
• End date: October 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Eneida de Paula
• Grantee: Verônica Muniz Couto
• Supervisor: Lidia Tajber
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/11804-9 - Local anesthetic combined with capsaicin:hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex to selective increase the anesthetic potency, BP.DR

Abstract

Local anesthetics (LAs) are often used in medical practice when it is necessary to numb parts of the body. Although desirable, local anesthetics cannot guarantee the selective blockage of nociceptive fibers causing adverse reaction (motor and autonomic blockage). Recently, it was reported that the application of local anesthetic followed by capsaicin leads to a selective increase in sensory block in rats due to facilitated entry of local anesthetics into nociceptive fibers. However, capsaicin is a poorly water-soluble and volatile compound. Ionic liquids (ILs) are novel compounds comprising mostly ionic species with melting points below 100 ºC. These liquids salts can enhance the solubility of hydrophobic drugs such as capsaicin. Considering the previous statements, we intend to develop an innovative formulation comprising a local anesthetic-based ionic liquid as a vehicle for capsaicin. This formulation is intended for local anesthesia with a view of improving the therapeutic potential and safety aspects of currently available LAs.