N-methylacetamide analog of salvinorin A: a highly potent and selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist with oral efficacy.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 2008 Cécile Béguin, David Potter, Jennifer A DiNieri et al.
Several preclinical studies indicate that selective kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists have antidepressant-like effects, whereas KOR agonists have opposite effects, suggesting that each might be useful in the treatment of mood abnormalities. Salvinorin A (salvA) is a valuable KOR agonist for further study due to its high potency and receptor selectivity. However, it has short lasting...