Nonivamide

Nonivamide is a naturally occurring analog of DB06774, isolated from peppers, described to produce effects similar to DB06774. It is an agonist of the VR1 (vanilloid/TRPV1 receptor). It serves as a transient agonist of these receptors, which are potentiated by pro-inflammatory drugs, a phenomenon that leads to thermal hyperalgesia, or increased heat sensation.

Nonivamide has been shown to stimulate afferent neurons with about half the potency of DB06774. Agonism of the VR1 (TRPV1) (vanilloid) receptor by Nonivamide was demonstrated to induce the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of human lung cells, producing ER stress and cell death [MSDS].

Nonivamide, like other capsaicinoids, acts on the vanilloid receptors located in the peripheral afferent nerve fibers, providing short-acting irritant and algesic properties. Applied dermally, these substances act by stimulating sensitive chemoreceptors of the skin and by reflex, hyperemia and a local elevation in temperature. After repetitive administration, capsaicinoids have been reported to lead to desensitization to nociceptive stimuli possibly by long-acting depletion of peptide neurotransmitters (substance P) from peripheral sensory neurons. Capsaicinoids can modulate muscle tone (in bladder, bronchus etc.). Intravenous injection of nonivamide to rats (10 μg/kg) has been found to lead to bradycardia. The cardiovascular effects are partly explained by substance P release. Nonivamide given to rats subcutaneously (1 mg/kg) was found to cause body temperature decrease, vasodilatation, and increased salivation. Capsaicinoids have shown to illicit bronchospastic effects in guinea pigs. Capsaicin and its analogs were reported to increase barbiturate sleeping time in rats by interacting with hepatic metabolizing enzymes.