Norbinaltorphimine (nor-BNI or nBNI) is an opioidantagonist used in scientific research. It is one of the few opioid antagonists available that is highly selective for the κ-opioid receptor, and blocks this receptor without affecting the μ- or δ-opioid receptors,[2][3] although it is less selective in vivo than in isolated tissues.[4] nor-BNI blocks the effects of κ-opioid agonists in animal models,[5][6] and produces antidepressant[7] and anxiolytic-like effects.[3]
Legality
In the United States, the DEA considers norbinaltorphimine a Schedule II substance as a derivative of noroxymorphone.[8]
This is because of the broad definition of § 1308.12 Schedule II. which specifically includes derivatives:
"(1) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium or opiate excluding apomorphine, thebaine-derived butorphanol, dextrorphan, nalbuphine, naldemedine, nalmefene, naloxegol, naloxone, 6β-naltrexol, naltrexone, and samidorphan, and their respective salts, but including the following:
^Portoghese PS, Lipkowski AW, Takemori AE (March 1987). "Binaltorphimine and nor-binaltorphimine, potent and selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonists". Life Sciences. 40 (13): 1287–92. doi:10.1016/0024-3205(87)90585-6. PMID2882399.
^ abMaraschin JC, Almeida CB, Rangel MP, Roncon CM, Sestile CC, Zangrossi H, et al. (June 2017). "Participation of dorsal periaqueductal gray 5-HT1A receptors in the panicolytic-like effect of the κ-opioid receptor antagonist Nor-BNI". Behavioural Brain Research. 327: 75–82. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2017.03.033. PMID28347824. S2CID22465963.
^Birch PJ, Hayes AG, Sheehan MJ, Tyers MB (December 1987). "Norbinaltorphimine: antagonist profile at kappa opioid receptors". European Journal of Pharmacology. 144 (3): 405–8. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(87)90397-9. PMID2831070.
^Takemori AE, Ho BY, Naeseth JS, Portoghese PS (July 1988). "Nor-binaltorphimine, a highly selective kappa-opioid antagonist in analgesic and receptor binding assays". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 246 (1): 255–8. PMID2839664.
^Takemori AE, Schwartz MM, Portoghese PS (December 1988). "Suppression by nor-binaltorphimine of kappa opioid-mediated diuresis in rats". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 247 (3): 971–4. PMID2849679.