This study is on the in vitro assessment of the metabolic stability of two novel endomorphin-2 analogs, CYX-5 and CYX-6, in rat liver microsomes.We have recently reported two G-protein-biased endomorphin-2 (EM-2; H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2) analogs, namely CYX-6 (H-Dmt-Pro-Tmp-Tmp-NH2) and CYX-5 (H-Dmt-Pro-1-Nal-NH2), which showed improved opioid-related adverse-effect profiles in rats relative to morphine.CYX-6 and CYX-5 given by bolus intracerebroventricular administration in rats had superior constipation and respiratory profiles compared with the pos. control morphine.Hence, we designed this study to gain insight into the metabolic stability of these compounds before progressing to a systemic dosing route.Specifically, our aim was to assess the in vitro metabolic stability of CYX-6 and CYX-5 in rat liver microsomes (Sigma Aldrich Pty Ltd, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia) according to the methods described by Pippin et al.The good metabolic stability of the CYX compounds herein affirms their satisfactory stability at supraspinal and spinal sites in the central nervous system after intracerebroventricular administration in rats.The relatively long in vitro half-life of CYX-6 in rat liver microsomes (2.2 h) suggests that it may have a favorable pharmacokinetic profile after systemic administration in rats.