Nociceptin, discovery

Bertorelli, R., Calo, G., Ongini, E., Regoli, D. Nociceptin/orpanin FQ and its receptor a potential target for drug discovery Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 2000, 21, 233-234. 

Civelli, O., Nothacker, H.-P., Reinscheid, R., 1998. Reverse physiology discovery of the novel neuropeptide, orphanin FQ/nociceptin. Crit. Rev. Neurobiol. 12, 163-176. 

Papaver somniferum Papaveraceae (opium poppy) has been used as an analgesic since 3000 BC [26]. The opium latex contains many alkaloids, including codeine, thebaine, papaverine and morphine - its main analgesic constituent [27]. Although morphine has found large clinical use, its analgesic mechanism was first elucidated only with the discovery of both endogenous peptide opioids (such as enkephalins, dynorphins, endorphins and nociceptin) and the opioid receptors, p, 8, k... 

The relatively recent discovery of the neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ, and its receptor system, offers the possibility of future treatment modahties in the field of pain medicine. As described, this system can play a role in pain rebel, anxiolysis, and substance abuse associated with opioids, and other central-acting drugs. Although much research remains, these potential effects with regard to pain, anxiety, and substance abuse, as web as numerous other systemic effects, encourage further work in the area. 

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