Human Saliva contains a painkiller called Opiorphin. Initial research with mice shows the compound has a painkilling effect greater than that of Morphine.
The compound, opiorphin, appears to work by enhancing the body’s own defenses against pain by preventing the breakdown of enkephalins, chemicals that activate opiate receptors to block pain signals from reaching the brain.
Laboratory studies demonstrated that opiorphin exerts its effect by inhibiting the activity of two enzymes, termed ectopeptidases, found on the outer membrane of nerve cells. In response to a painful stimulus, compounds called enkaphilins are released by the body as a counter-measure. However, these have a short half-life, of the order of seconds, and are rapidly catabolised by ectopeptidases. The researchers showed that opiorphin inhibits two of these enzymes, possibly by chelating zinc, which is necessary for the enzymes’ activity. This in turn increases the persistence of the pain-reducing enkaphalins. The team showed that opiorphin reduced pain in rats, with a greater potency than morphine.
MBH/AB