These innovative light-activated drugs can treat neuropathic pain
Researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), have developed light-activated compounds in order to treat neuropathic pain. This novel approach, known as photopharmacology, involves modifying a drug's chemical structure by adding a light-sensitive molecular switch like azobenzene. The drug is then activated solely when exposed to a specific color of light, allowing for targeted treatment. The team has created photoswitchable derivatives of carbamazepine, an anti-epileptic drug commonly used to treat certain types of neuropathic pain.
Light-activated compounds show promising results
The synthesized compounds, carbazopine-1 and carbadiazocine, exhibit photopharmacological activity. They allow the activity of hippocampal neurons and the locomotion of zebrafish larvae to be controlled by light. "When we illuminate larvae that have uptaken these compounds with a certain wavelength, the drug is activated and the larvae move faster," said Luisa Camerin, an IBEC researcher associated with the study. Carbadiazocine has also demonstrated analgesic properties in lab tests without any signs of anesthesia, sedation, or toxicity.
A new frontier in neuropathic pain treatment
Neuropathic pain, caused by lesions or diseases of the somatosensory system, often requires opioids for treatment. However, opioids can cause tolerance and addiction and have systemic side effects. Light-based therapies are gaining prominence due to their ability to target specific areas of the body, increasing treatment efficacy and reducing side effects. The IBEC research team is now focusing on activating drugs using infrared light for deeper tissue penetration, and exploring portable light sources such as lasers or LEDs.
Drug shows analgesic properties in lab tests
Carbadiazocine, one of the synthesized compounds, has demonstrated analgesic properties in laboratory tests. "In rat models developed in the laboratory of Esther Berrocoso at the University of Cadiz, we have observed that carbadiazocine has an analgesic effect on neuropathic pain without any signs of anesthesia, sedation or toxicity," says Pau Gorostiza, ICREA research professor and principal investigator at IBEC. This breakthrough could potentially revolutionize the treatment approach for neuropathic pain.
