beta-endorphin is a potent analgesic agent

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1976 Aug;73(8):2895-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.73.8.2895.

Abstract

beta-Endorphin, an opiate-like peptide, has potent antinociceptive properties when it is administered directly into the brain and assayed in the the tail-flick, hot-plate, and writhing tests in mice and in the wet shake test in rats. On a molar basis, beta-endorphin is 18 to 33 times more potent than morphine and its actions are blocked by the specific opiate antagonist, naloxone hydrochloride. The activity of beta-endorphin in vivo is also compared to other peptides that show opiate-like activity in assays in vitro.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid*
  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Morphine / pharmacology
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • beta-Lipotropin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Ligands
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides
  • Naloxone
  • Morphine
  • beta-Lipotropin