Ziconotide

Ziconotide (SNX-111), a peptide, is a potent and selective block of N-type calcium channels antagonist. Ziconotide reduces synaptic transmission, and can be used for chronic pain research^[1]. In Vitro: Most native cells express a variety of different calcium channels and as a result, Ziconotide only partially reduces high-voltage-activated calcium currents in differentiated human neuroblastoma IMR32 cells, rat superior cervical ganglion neurons, and rat hippocampal neurons. Ziconotide also reduces calcium currents that result from expression of the α1B subunit in HEK cells, tsa-201 cells, and Xenopus laevis oocytes^[1].
Ziconotide delivers its antinociceptive efficacy by reducing the release of pronociceptive neurotransmitters in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, thereby inhibiting pain signal transmission^[1]. In Vivo: Ziconotide (i.t.; 25-100 pmol/site; 5 μL; on the 4 th, 10 th, 15 th, 20 th, and 24 th days) reduces the levels of IL-1β and IL-23 in the CNS, as well as IL-17 production in the spleen, 25 days after MOG35-55-elicited EAE, in the mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)^[2].