At least that's what Brigham Young University chemists are hoping.
They have developed a synthetic version of a molecule derived from the "Stephania japonica," or Japanese tape vine, that has a molecular structure that closely resembles that of morphine. Stephania japonica, the plant from which the hasubanonine compound is derived, can be found near rainforests.
Although researchers are years away from knowing if it will deliver the relief of painkillers without bad side effects, they are optimistic.
Steven Castle, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and team adviser, BYU student Spencer Jones and postdoctoral researcher Liwen He authored a paper detailing the synthetic molecule's creation that was published in today's issue of Organic Letters.
"Like a lot of things in organic chemistry, we won't really be sure until testing is done, but we're excited about the possibility," Jones said.
The team will send samples to scientists at the National Institutes of Health, who plan to test it in mice.
"We think it might bind to the opiate receptor different than morphine," Jones said. "But it's still too early to conclude whether it will have those properties."
Tolerance and physical and psychological addiction to morphine can develop quickly. Withdrawal from the drug causes nausea, chills and sweating.
Dwayne Baird, spokesman for the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, said the research, while in early stages, looks promising for those who are addicted to the opiate. The drug is hard to find on the streets, and less than 1 percent of abusers in treatment are hooked on morphine, Baird said.
"Most people get morphine in a hospital setting," Baird said. "We don't see people abusing it as much as OxyContin or other" painkillers, he said. Even so, "it would be beneficial if it works."
