American researchers have presented an experimental drug, PPL-138, which in preclinical trials has shown the ability to simultaneously reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and alcohol abuse. The development is described in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
“Preclinical trials” are essentially the first serious testing of a drug, but not on humans yet, but on animals. Scientists are looking to see if it actually works and if it’s not too toxic before moving on. So, right now we have very encouraging results from the lab that give the green light for future research.
The drug belongs to the class of opioid partial agonists and affects the brain system associated with stress and addiction. In experiments on rats, PPL-138 reduced anxiety, pain responses and reduced alcohol consumption, but only in animals with signs of PTSD-like states.
Imagine that your brain has special “locks” (receptors) that respond to stress and pain. Full-strength opioids, such as morphine, are “keys” that open this lock completely, causing a strong effect and the risk of addiction. And PPL-138 is a “partial key” (partial agonist), it only turns the lock a little. This is enough to relieve tension in a system that is already “broken” by stress, but not enough to cause euphoria in a healthy brain. That is why it only worked in rats that already had problems.
The researchers note that the drug's effect was particularly pronounced in females who were prone to stress-induced anxiety, in whom it was more effective in reducing hazardous alcohol consumption, even without clear signs of developed physical dependence. At the same time, PPL-138 did not cause a sedative effect and did not affect motor activity, which distinguishes it from many existing drugs.
What does “non-sedating” mean? Simply put, the rats didn’t become drowsy or lethargic. This is a huge plus, as many anxiety and pain medications can make you feel sluggish, making it difficult to function and live your life normally. PPL-138 seems to allow the brain to calm down without shutting down the entire body.
The authors emphasize that this is the first step towards creating a single therapy for patients who simultaneously suffer from PTSD, chronic pain and alcohol dependence. The developer company Phoenix PharmaLabs is now preparing the drug for clinical trials.
And now we have reached the most important stage. “Clinical trials” are tests with the participation of human volunteers. If the drug has proven itself as a “Swiss army knife” against three problems at once in animals, now scientists have to find out whether it will be just as effective and safe for the human body. This is a long and complex process, but if it is successful, it can radically change the lives of millions of people.
