DPDPE vs Leu-enkephalin
Head-to-head comparison of DPDPE ([D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin) and Leu-enkephalin (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
Research Score
| Property | DPDPE | Leu-enkephalin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pain Management | Pain Management |
| Full Name | [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin | Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu |
| Molecular Weight | 645.79 Da | 555.63 Da |
| Half-Life | 15-60 minutes in plasma | 1-5 minutes in plasma |
| Amino Acids | 5 | 5 |
| Typical Dose | 0.01-1 ug per animal | 0.1-5 ug per animal |
| Route | Intrathecal / intracerebroventricular | Intrathecal / intracerebroventricular |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 800 | 1000 |
| Research Status | Pre-clinical | Pre-clinical |
DPDPE Benefits
- ✓delta-opioid selectivity
- ✓improved conformational stability
- ✓analgesic receptor mapping
- ✓useful in chronic pain models
Leu-enkephalin Benefits
- ✓delta-opioid activity
- ✓endogenous analgesic model
- ✓receptor-selective pharmacology
- ✓nociception pathway research
DPDPE Dosing
Intrathecal 0.01-1 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.01-0.5 ug per animal|In vitro 0.1-20 nM
Leu-enkephalin Dosing
Intrathecal 0.1-5 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.1-2 ug per animal|In vitro 1-100 nM
DPDPE Side Effects
- ⚠sedation
- ⚠nausea-like opioid effects
- ⚠tolerance with repeated dosing
Leu-enkephalin Side Effects
- ⚠sedation
- ⚠constipation-like opioid effects
- ⚠very short plasma stability
Research Overview
DPDPE
DPDPE is widely cited in opioid pharmacology because it helped establish the functional role of delta-opioid receptors in pain control. Its constrained structure is also used to explore how peptide cyclization changes potency, stability, and tissue selectivity.
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.
Ready to buy?
Find both peptides from our verified, lab-tested vendors with purity certificates and third-party testing.