Esters of beta endorphin

Abstract

Chronic intractable pain is a global health issue, highlighting the need for a potent μ-agonist analgesic with minimal major side effects. Intrathecal administration of β-endorphin in humans produces significant analgesia without respiratory depression or tolerance. Earlier animal studies concluding that chronic administration of β-endorphin results in tolerance and respiratory depression may not be applicable to humans due to differences between human and animal μ-receptors and β-endorphins. It is anticipated that β-endorphin functions as a GPCR biased ligand, similar to ligand binding in endocrinopathies that do not usually produce tolerance. Ester prodrugs of β-endorphin are predicted to cross the human blood-brain barrier (BBB), undergo hydrolysis to β-endorphin and a non-toxic metabolite, and provide substantial analgesia with low toxicity and without major side effects. The synthesis of lead prodrugs is described. Compared to current pharmaceutical development expenditures, the risks associated with this research are considered low.

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