The pain killer in spit

Washington Post:

French researchers say they've discovered a natural painkiller in human saliva that's several times more potent than morphine used in animal studies.

The researchers have named the pain inhibitor opiorphin, because it acts on the same pathways as morphine and other opiate painkillers. The finding could lead to improved pain medications because opiorphin is a naturally occurring molecule that is quickly metabolized, according to a report by researchers at the Pasteur Institute, in Paris.

...

The discovery was made after the researchers identified a powerful pain-inhibiting molecule in rats. Their search for a similar molecule in humans turned up opiorphin. In rat studies, injections of 1 milligram of opiorphin per kilogram of body weight equaled the painkilling power of 3 to 6 milligrams of morphine per kilogram. Opiorphin was equally effective against chemical-induced inflammation and acute physical pain.

In addition to studying opiorphin, Rougeot and her colleagues plan to make and study variations of the original molecule. "It is important to mimic such compounds," she said.

A painkiller arising from the research could have important applications for human use, Rougeot said. "Opiorphin is natural, so it is quickly metabolized," she said, so its effects on the body would be more limited than those of existing painkillers.

...

The discovery was made after the researchers identified a powerful pain-inhibiting molecule in rats. Their search for a similar molecule in humans turned up opiorphin. In rat studies, injections of 1 milligram of opiorphin per kilogram of body weight equaled the painkilling power of 3 to 6 milligrams of morphine per kilogram. Opiorphin was equally effective against chemical-induced inflammation and acute physical pain.

In addition to studying opiorphin, Rougeot and her colleagues plan to make and study variations of the original molecule. "It is important to mimic such compounds," she said.

A painkiller arising from the research could have important applications for human use, Rougeot said. "Opiorphin is natural, so it is quickly metabolized," she said, so its effects on the body would be more limited than those of existing painkillers.

Is this why French kissing feels so good? Seriously, it is not unusual to put saliva on a wound. Perhaps this also explains why a mother's kiss on a hurt is so effective. We should all learn to kiss it better.