CHILICARE project, a product line to support the relief of musculoskeletal pain extracted from Carolina Reaper pepper - the hottest pepper in the world, is the result of dedicated research by a group of students from Yersin University in Dalat (Lam Dong).
Lam Dong farmers often have to do heavy manual labor, so they are prone to muscle and joint pain, tendonitis, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Hang, a 4th-year student of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Yersin University, Da Lat, and her group members conducted research on the Project
With the desire to make a product from local agricultural products to help people relieve pain, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Hang, a 4th-year student of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Yersin University, Da Lat, and her classmates hatched the idea of making a product set to support pain relief for bones and joints.
From this thought, the young student connected with her classmates, Ms. Trinh Tran Que Anh and Mr. Pham Minh Nhat, both 3rd-year students of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, to start implementing the CHILICARE Project.
After more than 6 months of research and testing under the guidance of subject teachers, the group of students has initially achieved results with a product set including: CHILICAP 1% topical ointment, CHILICAP 1% topical cream and CHILICAP 1% topical patch.
Carolina Reaper chili - the hottest chili in the world was researched to extract and create a product to support musculoskeletal pain relief
The highlight of the project is the application of capsaicin - a biological active ingredient extracted from chili that can relieve musculoskeletal pain. In particular, the group chose the Carolina Reaper chili - the hottest chili in the world recognized by Guinness in 2013, with a spiciness and capsaicin content that is superior to many other chili varieties, helping to increase the effectiveness of application in the product.
After a careful selection process, the chili is extracted with an optimized process to obtain the maximum amount of capsaicin and is formulated to create the product.
Carolina Reaper chili has a higher spiciness and capsaicin content than many other chili varieties, helping to increase pain relief effectiveness
Diversifying the dosage form with topical products, creams and patches helps to meet the diverse needs of consumers. The products have been rigorously tested to ensure quality and effectiveness.
"We want to apply scientific knowledge to enhance the value of agricultural products, creating health care products with high economic value from indigenous medicinal sources," said Project Team Leader Tran Thi Thanh Hang.
The group of students from Yersin University, Dalat, spent months testing and adjusting the ratio to research and create the product
To complete the project, the group of students went through many difficulties with months of testing, adjusting the ratio, initial clinical trials, evaluating the effectiveness, preservation, safety and stability of the product. Each sample is rigorously tested under the guidance of specialized lecturers.
Research results show that the product has a clear pain-relieving effect when used topically, especially for people with back, neck, shoulder, and joint pain due to a lot of movement. Initial tests prove that the product is safe, does not cause skin irritation, and brings a feeling of warmth and relaxation after use.
Chili peppers, after a careful selection process, are extracted with an optimal process and are prepared to create the product
With the perseverance, passion, and dedicated guidance of the teachers, they have achieved success. The project has achieved initial success with the first prize in the 6th Yersin Talent - Innovation Competition, 2024 - 2025 school year, organized by Yersin University, Da Lat.
The project is competing and is in the top 8 nationwide at the New Generation Student Competition 2025, organized by Vietnam Television; entered the semi-finals of the 2025 Rural Youth Entrepreneurship Competition in the Central region organized by the Central Youth Union and the final round of the 2025 Provincial Technical Innovation Competition organized by the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee.
The CHILICAP 1% topical ointment, CHILICAP 1% topical cream and CHILICAP 1% topical patch significantly reduce pain for people with back, neck, shoulder and joint pain due to excessive movement
Instructor Dinh Thi Huong, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Yersin University, Dalat, said that every year, the school organizes competitions related to research for lecturers and students. She and the lecturers in the school create the best conditions for students to participate in research to serve their mission and serve the community.
"The CHILICARE project not only has high application value but also demonstrates the practical research thinking and social responsibility of students", Instructor Dinh Thi Huong informed.
The CHILICARE project won first prize at the 6th Yersin Talent - Innovation Competition and is competing in many competitions in and outside the province
Along with bringing the project to competitions, the lecturer is also guiding and encouraging the group on the steps to commercialize the product, with the expectation of creating a sustainable production - processing - consumption chain, linking scientific research with real life.
According to Lam Dong Newspaper