“Research from Taiwan indicates that capnellene (GB9), a compound extracted from the soft coral Capnella imbricata, could prove useful for treating neuropathy and neuropathic pain.”

When pain is the result of a disruption or alteration of nerve conduction, it is termed neurogenic or neuropathic. Pain caused by nerve damage can range from a mild prickling to severe burning, itching or aching and usually requires different treatment from musculoskeletal pain.

Pain management is approached medically, behaviourally, physically and in some cases, surgically. If it is treated with drugs it is always a balance of risk versus benefit. In other words, medication side effects need to be considered and continually evaluated in terms of their impact on a person’s quality of life.

Neuropathic pain responds variably to currently available drugs; painkillers, antidepressants and anti-epilepsy drugs often have no effect.

Usual medications

Carbamazepine (anticonvulsant): Side effects Drowsiness, Dizziness, Coordination difficulties

Phenytoin (anticonvulsant): Side effects Dizziness, Nausea, Insomnia, Uncontrollable eye movements, Coordination difficulties, Slurred speech, Confusion

Baclofen (muscle relaxant): Side effects Weakness, Drowsiness, Dizziness

Gabapentin (anticonvulsant) may also help: Side effects Dizziness, Coordination difficulties, Fatigue

Zhi-Hong Wen. said “Capnellene could be the first of a new generation of painkillers that are more effective than steroids or opiates and do not have their potential side effects or their addiction-forming properties,”

CB09 and its derivative GB10 have been looked at with two proinflammatory molecules which were reduced to almost control levels at the highest GB9 and GB10 concentrations tested.

“We are currently investigating the effects of GB9 and GB10 in other animal models of osteoarthritic pain, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease, as the compounds could also be potent therapeutic agents for a range of neuroinflammatory diseases,” says Wen.

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