What is "resiniferatoxin"

n. (context organic compound English) A naturally occurring, ultrapotent capsaicin analogue that activates the vanilloid receptor in a subpopulation of primary afferent sensory neurons involved in nociception.

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 peppers.