Alpha2-agonists as analgesic agents.
It is well known that norepinephrine is involved in the control of pain by modulating pain-related responses through various pathways. alpha(2)-Adrenergic agonists have a well-established analgesic profile and, in the recent years, have found a wider application, in particular as adjunct to anesthetics and analgesics in perioperative settings. This review analyzes the alpha(2)-agonists currently in clinical use, starting from the prototype Clonidine, as well as the most promising and studied molecules. In addition, an overview of the imidazoles, imidazolines, and hydroxyethyl-thioureas derivatives published in both the open and patented literature is presented, providing chemical description and pharmacological data. Finally, the most commonly alpha(2)-agonists used in veterinary medicine are described.
Giovannoni
Maria Paola
MP
Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Firenze, Italy. mariapaola.giovannoni@unifi.it
Ghelardini
Carla
C
Vergelli
Claudia
C
Dal Piaz
Vittorio
V
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000700:Analgesics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000700:Analgesics; D003000:Clonidine