Finding natural products to help treat chronic pain without addiction
Official title: Screening of US and Jordanian Natural Product Libraries for the Discovery of Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) Penetrant Cathepsin L Inhibitors for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10987433 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for natural ingredients that can safely help manage chronic pain by blocking a specific enzyme in the brain, aiming to find options that don’t lead to addiction like traditional painkillers do.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $341,701 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AT013004-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987433 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain who are seeking alternative treatments to opioids.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are already effectively managing their pain with current treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to discover new natural products that can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier and inhibit cathepsin L, an enzyme linked to chronic pain. By focusing on natural extracts from the US and Jordan, the project seeks to identify compounds that can reduce levels of spinal dynorphin, a key player in chronic pain, without the risk of addiction associated with traditional opioid treatments. The methodology includes screening various natural product libraries using advanced permeability assays to ensure the selected compounds can reach their target in the central nervous system. This innovative approach addresses the urgent need for safer pain management options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, non-addictive treatments for chronic pain, improving the quality of life for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using natural products for pain management is not entirely novel, the specific focus on cathepsin L inhibitors and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier represents a promising and innovative direction in pain treatment research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerwick, William Henry — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Gerwick, William Henry
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.