Scientists have regain a unexampled non - habit-forming painkiller that could prove to be a worthful alternative to opioid drug like morphine and oxycodone , accord to a recent field put out in the journalNature Communications .

The promising compound is hollo benzyloxy - cyclopentyladenosine ( or BnOCPA for short ) . Testing out the drug on manakin systems such as salientian meat , bum brains , and human cells , the external squad of researchers found that BnOCPA showed to be non - habit-forming , potent , and selective in its pain - killing action .

Most notably , it appears that the drug would not cause drugging , bradycardia , hypotension , or respiratory depression , which are common concerns with substantial anodyne .

Many drugs shape by interacting with protein on the surface of the cell that activate adapter molecules phone G proteins . However , trouble can arise because the activation of sure G proteins can lead to other cellular gist . The peach of BnOCPA is that it only aerate one character of G protein , leading to very selective force and reducing potential side effects .

“ This is a fantastic lesson of serendipity in scientific discipline . We had no expectations that BnOCPA would behave any differently from other molecules in its class , but the more we looked into BnOCPA we divulge properties that had never been hear before , and which may open up newfangled domain of medicinal chemistry , ” Professor Bruno Frenguelli , principal detective on the project from the University of Warwick ’s School of Life Sciences , said in astatement .

The drug is yet to be trialed on a living , breathing homo , but these answer sound promising . Over 20 percent of mass in the US experience chronic pain , and 7.4 percent of people experience continuing pain that importantly impacts their life , according to theCDC .

drug , such as opioids that are often used to treat pain can conduce to nasty side effects , dependence , and overdose . afford thevery clear risks , the motivation for unexampled , secure , and potent pain - killing drugs is enormous .

“ The selectivity and potency of BnOCPA make it truly unique and we trust that with further enquiry it will be potential to give potent painkillers to assist patients contend with chronic pain sensation , ” added Dr Mark Wall , lead researcher from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick .