Tinyatoxin (TTX)

Tinyatoxin (TTX ) is a highly irritant analog of resiniferatoxin and capsaicin. It occurs naturally in Euphorbia poissonii. It is a neurotoxin and (like its analogs) acts via vanilloid receptors of sensory nerves.

Tinyatoxin has a potential for pharmaceutical uses similar to uses of capsaicin. Tinyatoxin is about one third as strong as resiniferatoxin. Resiniferatoxin (RTX) is a naturally occurring chemical found in resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera), a cactus-like plant commonly found in Morocco, and in Euphorbia poissonii found in northern Nigeria. It is an ultrapotent analog of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili pepper. It activates the vanilloid receptor in a subpopulation of primary afferent sensory neurons involved in nociception (the transmission of physiological pain). Resiniferatoxin is toxic and can inflict chemical burns.