A Novel Multi-Target Mu/Delta Opioid Receptor Agonist, HAGD, Produced Potent Peripheral Antinociception with Limited Side Effects in Mice and Minimal Impact on Human Sperm Motility In Vitro

Abstract

Pain is a common clinical symptom among patients. Although various opioid analgesics have been developed, their side effects hinder their application. This study aimed to develop a novel opioid analgesic, HAGD (H-Tyr-D-AIa-GIy-Phe-NH2), with limited side effects. In vivo studies on mouse models as well as in vitro studies on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human mu, delta, or kappa opioid receptors (CHOhMOP, CHOhDOP, and CHOhKOP, respectively) and human sperm were conducted. Compared with subcutaneous morphine (10 mg/kg), subcutaneous HAGD (10 mg/kg) produced equipotent or even greater antinociception with a prolonged duration by activating mu/delta opioid receptors in preclinical mouse pain models. The analgesic tolerance, rewarding effects (i.e., conditioned place preference and acute hyperlocomotion), and gastrointestinal transit inhibition of HAGD were significantly reduced compared with those of morphine. Both HAGD and morphine exhibited a withdrawal response and had no impacts on motor coordination. In CHOhMOP and CHOhDOP, HAGD showed specific and efficient intracellular Ca2+ stimulation. HAGD had minimal impact on human sperm motility in vitro, whereas 1 × 10−7 and 1 × 10−8 mol/L of morphine significantly declined sperm motility at 3.5 h. Overall, HAGD may serve as a promising antinociceptive compound.