AZD-2327 is an investigational, highly selective delta-opioid receptor agonist that AstraZeneca developed as a potential antidepressant and anxiolytic.
- Reduced anxiety-like behavior comparable to a benzodiazepine in animal models
- Showed a stronger anxiolytic than antidepressant signal in a human pilot trial
- Inhibits the CYP3A4 liver enzyme, a drug-interaction risk
Overview
A delta-opioid drug that calmed anxiety in animals about as well as a benzodiazepine, but the antidepressant signal didn't hold up in people.
Mechanism
AZD-2327 binds the delta-opioid receptor with sub-nanomolar affinity and more than 1000-fold selectivity over the mu- and kappa-opioid receptor subtypes. In animal models it inhibited release during anxiety states to a degree comparable with the benzodiazepine diazepam, and produced antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and locomotor-stimulating effects, with a lower seizure-induction profile than some other delta-opioid agonists and low misuse potential in animal testing.
receptor fingerprint
Delta-opioid receptorAgonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
A randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II pilot trial in anxious depression found a larger anxiolytic signal than antidepressant signal, and a separate Phase II trial in major depressive disorder found no significant benefit over placebo. AZD-2327 also inhibits the CYP3A4 liver enzyme, a drug-interaction concern, and its development was discontinued in 2010.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Shelved, and the data explains why: a hint of anxiolysis in a small pilot, nothing over placebo for depression, and CYP3A4 inhibition that would have complicated any real-world use. The delta-opioid idea is still worth pursuing; this molecule is not the one that carries it.
Resources
No suppliers are provided for compounds like this. This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 1.Preclinical pharmacology of AZD2327: a highly selective agonist of the δ-opioid receptor.
- 2.A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of the delta opioid receptor agonist AZD2327 in anxious depression
2 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is AZD-2327 used for?
It was developed as a potential treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, working through the delta-opioid receptor rather than the mu-opioid receptor used by typical painkillers.
How does AZD-2327 work?
It selectively activates delta-opioid receptors, which in animal studies calmed anxiety-related behavior about as effectively as a benzodiazepine.
Is AZD-2327 well-researched?
It has solid preclinical pharmacology and completed small human trials, but efficacy for depression did not hold up and development was discontinued.
Limitations of the evidence
- Showed no significant benefit over placebo for major depressive disorder in a Phase II trial
Adverse effects
- Inhibits the CYP3A4 liver enzyme, a drug-interaction risk