This study reports on the in vivo effects of four endomorphin-2 (EM-2) derivatives (EMD1-4) containing unnatural amino acids, i.e. 2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (Achc 2 ), para-fluorophenylalanine (pFPhe 4 ), β-methylphenylalanine (βMePhe 4 ) and/or 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt 1 ). After induction of osteoarthritis by monosodium iodoacetate into the ankle joint of male Wistar rats, a chronic intrathecal catheter was inserted for spinal drug delivery. The mechanical threshold was assessed by a dynamic aesthesiometer. Intrathecal injection of the original EM-2 and the ligands (0.3-10 µg) caused dose-dependent antiallodynic effects. The comparison of the different substances revealed that EMD3 and EMD4 showed more prolonged antinociception than EM-2, and the effects of the highest dose of EMD4 were comparable to morphine, while EMD3 caused paralysis at this dose. The potency of the different ligands did not differ from EM-2. The results show that the derivatives of EM-2 have similar in vivo potency to the original ligand, but their effects were more prolonged suggesting that these structural modifications may play a role in the development of novel endomorphin analogues with increased therapeutic potential.Keywords: opioid peptide, endomorphin, pain, spinal, intrathecal, osteoarthritis C Morphine and related compounds that are clinically valuable for pain relief, act primarily at the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily (39). A major goal in opioid peptide research is the development of novel analgesics that could substitute for morphine without its well-known side effects of dependence, tolerance, respiratory depression and reward-seeking behavior (25). The study of naturally occurring peptides provides a rational and powerful approach in the design of peptide medications. Endomorphin-1 (EM-1, Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH 2 ) and endomorphin-2 (EM-2, Tyr-Pro-PhePhe-NH 2 ) are high-affinity, MOR-selective endogenous opioids which also inhibit nociception similarly to opiates of plant origin in both acute and chronic pain models (10,31,44). The exogenous application of EMs encounters serious limitations, including a short duration of action, a lack of activity after oral administration and poor metabolic stability (23,34,37). Aminopeptidases play a key role in the biodegradation of EMs, during which the main cleavage occurs at the Pro 2 -Trp 3 and Pro 2 -Phe 3 peptide bonds. For their consideration as actual therapeutic drugs it is essential to enhance their resistance to enzymatic degradation (12).