Endomorphin-1 analogs with enhanced metabolic stability and systemic analgesic activity: Design, synthesis, and pharmacological characterization

We synthesized four new analogs of endomorphin-1 by systematic chemical modifications. To identify the best possible drug candidates for clinical pain management and to investigate the potential contribution of these alterations to the biological activity, their pharmacological properties were determined. All of the analogs showed significantly enhanced metabolic stability. The fact that centrally mediated analgesia following peripheral administration was observed with one of the analogs suggested the approach design undertaken here had validity in the development of endomorphin-1 as a successful opioid drug for the clinic.

An analog of endomorphin-1, designed by combining successful chemical modifications, was proved to show improved metabolic stability and produce analgesia after peripheral administration.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide