A breakthrough study suggests that human saliva produces the most effective and safe painkiller ever known, resulting in a probable reworking of how painkillers are currently administered. The researchers involved have identified a certain compound found in saliva which works like morphine, only 6 times more effective and without the negative side effects.
This component, called opiorphin works by inhibiting the destruction of enkephalins in nerve cells. Enkephalins function as natural painkillers; however, they are usually destroyed easily in the body. Opiorphin then steps in to slow and negate this destruction, thereby enhancing the body's natural ability to reduce the sensation of pain. Substitute chemical drugs on the other hand are accompanied by several long term and short-term side effects along with the problem of tolerance over time. Added, a drug like morphine requires six times the amount of the natural opiorphin to produce the same effect.
The substance has already been tested positively on rats, where it was found that a single gram of opiorphin per kilo weight worked to reduce pain similar to the function of 3 grams of morphine. The substance was injected into the rats' paws, following which; they did not exhibit high levels of pain when made to walk on a bed of needles and other similar tests. The scientists involved also affirm that the substance may have anti depressant functions as well, though this area has not been sufficiently explored.
As positive as lead researcher Catherine Rougeot from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France may sound however, it is a long way before steps are taken to introduce this in a form acceptable to humans. Details regarding the pharmacological profile of opiorphin are still to be studied along with all its repercussions. John Wood, of University College London affirms that though a natural pain killing protein from human saliva is a significant discovery, its exact workings and effects are still to be studied.
