At high micromolar to millimolar concentrations in in vitro research studies, nitecapone is an effective antioxidant, nitric oxide radical scavenger, and iron chelator that can protect cells from lipid peroxidation[1]

After single administration, both?nitecapone?and OR-486 reduced mechanical nociceptive thresholds and thermal nociceptive latencies (hot plate test) at 2 and 3 h, regardless of their brain penetration. These effects were still present after chronic treatment with COMT inhibitors for 5 days. Intraplantar injection of carrageenan reduced nociceptive latencies and both COMT inhibitors potentiated this reduction without modifying inflammation. CGP 28014 shortened paw flick latencies. OR-486 did not modify hot plate times in Comt gene deficient mice. Intrathecal?nitecapone?modified neither thermal nor mechanical nociception[2].