Capsaicin displays robust growth-inhibitory
activity in multiple
human cancers. However, the feasibility of capsaicin as a clinically
relevant anticancer drug is hampered by its adverse side effects.
This concern has led to extensive research focused on the isolation
and synthesis of second-generation nonpungent capsaicin analogues
with potent antineoplastic activity. A major class of nonpungent capsaicin-like
compounds belongs to the N-acyl-vanillylamide (N-AVAM)
derivatives of capsaicin (hereafter referred as N-AVAM capsaicin analogues).
This perspective discusses the isolation of N-AVAM capsaicin analogues
from natural sources as well as their synthesis by chemical and enzymatic
methods. The perspective describes the pharmacokinetic properties
and anticancer activity of N-AVAM capsaicin analogues. The signaling
pathways underlying the growth-inhibitory effects of N-AVAM capsaicin
analogues have also been highlighted. It is hoped that the insights
obtained in this perspective will facilitate the synthesis of a second
generation of N-AVAM capsaicin analogues with improved stability and
growth-suppressive activity in human cancer.