The compound isolated from a coral (Capnella imbricata) around Taiwan, might be a new lead for the treatment for neuropathic pain

In a press release of these new findings one of the researches, Dr Wen from the Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan stated:

"New, effective and safe painkillers are urgently needed for patients with neuropathic pain," saccording to Dr Zhi-Hong Wen

The chemical from the Coral capnellene, was isolated already in 1974, but it was only recently that  its neuropathic pain potential was recognized.

Capnellene's chemical structure is different from other analgesics. Capnellene and a similar compound were tested in isolated microglial cells and in experimental painmodels in rats.

They found that the compounds reduced pain-related activities in isolated microglia, and reversed hyperalgesic behaviour in the experimental rat model. ^[1]

The conclusion of the study was:

Taken together, these data indicate that the marine-derived capnellenes, GB9 and GB10, had anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties in IFN-gamma-stimulated microglial cells and in neuropathic rats respectively. Therefore, capnellene may serve as a useful lead compound in the search for new therapeutic agents for treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.

February 2010, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, MD

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