DADLE vs Leu-enkephalin

Head-to-head comparison of DADLE ([D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin) and Leu-enkephalin (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.

Research Score

PropertyDADLELeu-enkephalin
CategoryPain ManagementPain Management
Full Name[D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalinTyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu
Molecular Weight569.67 Da555.63 Da
Half-Life5-20 minutes in plasma1-5 minutes in plasma
Amino Acids55
Typical Dose0.01-2 ug per animal0.1-5 ug per animal
RouteIntrathecal / intracerebroventricularIntrathecal / intracerebroventricular
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count4501000
Research StatusPre-clinicalPre-clinical

DADLE Benefits

  • delta-opioid agonism
  • enhanced peptide stability
  • spinal analgesia models
  • research on tolerance mechanisms

Leu-enkephalin Benefits

  • delta-opioid activity
  • endogenous analgesic model
  • receptor-selective pharmacology
  • nociception pathway research

DADLE Dosing

Intrathecal 0.01-2 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.01-1 ug per animal|In vitro 0.1-50 nM

Leu-enkephalin Dosing

Intrathecal 0.1-5 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.1-2 ug per animal|In vitro 1-100 nM

DADLE Side Effects

  • sedation
  • motor suppression at higher doses
  • opioid tolerance with repeated exposure

Leu-enkephalin Side Effects

  • sedation
  • constipation-like opioid effects
  • very short plasma stability

Research Overview

DADLE

DADLE has been studied for analgesic, neuroprotective, and receptor-selective opioid effects in animal and tissue models. It remains important as a mechanistic probe because it is more stable than endogenous enkephalins but still peptide-like in its delivery constraints.

Leu-enkephalin

Leu-enkephalin is a standard tool in opioid receptor and pain-transmission research because it helps distinguish delta- from mu-preferring signaling. Its research value is high, but its clinical utility is limited by rapid enzymatic breakdown and delivery challenges.

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Common Stacking Partners

DADLE stacks with:

morphineketamine

Leu-enkephalin stacks with:

gabapentinketamine
enkephalin-analogdelta-opioidanalgesiapeptide-therapeuticopioid-peptideenkephalin