Research compounds
Substance P
SP, neurokinin-1 agonist
Substance P is an 11-amino-acid neuropeptide of the tachykinin family, central to pain transmission, neurogenic inflammation and the vomiting reflex. Its receptor is the target of an approved antiemetic drug class.
Also known as: neurokinin-1 agonist, substance-P
- Status
- Substance P is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
- How it's taken
- Not used therapeutically; research administration only
- Mechanism
- Other
How Substance P works
Substance P is released from primary afferent nociceptors and binds the neurokinin-1 receptor, amplifying pain signalling in the dorsal horn and causing vasodilation and plasma extravasation in peripheral tissue — the basis of neurogenic inflammation. In the area postrema, NK-1 signalling mediates delayed chemotherapy-induced vomiting, which is why NK-1 antagonists such as aprepitant are used in oncology.
What research has looked at
- It is the neuropeptide that produced a successful drug class in reverse: NK-1 receptor antagonists are approved and effective for delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
- Its role in neurogenic inflammation explains the flare response in skin and contributes to understanding of migraine and inflammatory pain.
- Substance P also participates in wound healing and in corneal nerve function, where topical application has been investigated.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Administering substance P produces pain, flushing, hypotension and bronchoconstriction — the effects that make it interesting are exactly the ones that make it unusable as a therapy. The approved drugs block it. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- It is degraded within minutes by neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme.
- Mast cell degranulation triggered by substance P can produce systemic hypersensitivity-like reactions.
- Anti-inflammatory or wound-healing claims for exogenous substance P are not supported by controlled human data.
Sources
- PubMed research on substance P neurokinin-1 neurogenic inflammation · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for substance P · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for substance P · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Substance P FAQ
What is Substance P?
Substance P is an 11-amino-acid neuropeptide of the tachykinin family, central to pain transmission, neurogenic inflammation and the vomiting reflex. Its receptor is the target of an approved antiemetic drug class.
How does Substance P work?
Substance P is released from primary afferent nociceptors and binds the neurokinin-1 receptor, amplifying pain signalling in the dorsal horn and causing vasodilation and plasma extravasation in peripheral tissue — the basis of neurogenic inflammation. In the area postrema, NK-1 signalling mediates delayed chemotherapy-induced vomiting, which is why NK-1 antagonists such as aprepitant are used in oncology.
Is Substance P FDA approved?
No. Substance P is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Substance P?
Reported half-life: Approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
How is Substance P taken?
Not used therapeutically; research administration only.
What side effects have been reported with Substance P?
Reported in the sources: Administering substance P produces pain, flushing, hypotension and bronchoconstriction — the effects that make it interesting are exactly the ones that make it unusable as a therapy. The approved drugs block it. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; It is degraded within minutes by neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme; Mast cell degranulation triggered by substance P can produce systemic hypersensitivity-like reactions; Anti-inflammatory or wound-healing claims for exogenous substance P are not supported by controlled human data.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.