Biochemistry Insights

Shimoda and co-workers published a paper on the pharmacological properties of glycosides of the peppery compound capsaicin (1 ) and its derivative 8-nordihydrocapsaicin (2). In their paper they conclude that the β-glucoside and β-maltoside of 1 and the β-glucoside of 2 still have the same potent anti-obese activity but further studies are needed to determine the physiological effect. Shimoda et al.1 use glycosylation to make a drug candidate more water soluble to promote their research for new drug candidates within the chemical group of capsaicinoids. Their findings support that this is a plausible way to enhance both bioavailability and “drug-likeliness” properties of drug candidates. This is indeed an interesting approach which should be pursued further and by many more.