DPDPE vs P11-4

Head-to-head comparison of DPDPE ([D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin) and P11-4 (Self-assembling peptide P11-4 (Ac-QQRFEWEFEQQ-NH2)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.

Research Score

PropertyDPDPEP11-4
CategoryPain ManagementDental & Oral
Full Name[D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalinSelf-assembling peptide P11-4 (Ac-QQRFEWEFEQQ-NH2)
Molecular Weight645.79 Da1466 Da
Half-Life15-60 minutes in plasmalocal activity for hours; peptide degraded over time
Amino Acids511
Typical Dose0.01-1 ug per animal0.5-5 mg per lesion
RouteIntrathecal / intracerebroventricularTopical/Intraoral
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count80040
Research StatusPre-clinicalClinical

DPDPE Benefits

  • delta-opioid selectivity
  • improved conformational stability
  • analgesic receptor mapping
  • useful in chronic pain models

P11-4 Benefits

  • enamel remineralization
  • early caries arrest
  • biomimetic scaffold formation
  • minimally invasive repair

DPDPE Dosing

Intrathecal 0.01-1 ug per animal|Intracerebroventricular 0.01-0.5 ug per animal|In vitro 0.1-20 nM

P11-4 Dosing

topical application to cleaned lesion|single-visit in-office application|repeat at follow-up if indicated

DPDPE Side Effects

  • sedation
  • nausea-like opioid effects
  • tolerance with repeated dosing

P11-4 Side Effects

  • transient tooth sensitivity
  • local irritation
  • taste disturbance

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.

P11-4

P11-4 has been studied for its ability to penetrate initial carious lesions and self-assemble into a fibrillar matrix that nucleates hydroxyapatite. Human and preclinical studies support its role in non-invasive enamel repair.

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Common Stacking Partners

DPDPE stacks with:

morphinegabapentin

P11-4 stacks with:

fluoride varnishCPP-ACPxylitol
cyclic-peptidedelta-opioidanalgesiaenkephalin-analogenamel-remineralizationcariesbiomimetic-peptideoral-health