Salvinorin A, the active ingredient of the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum is the most potent known naturally occurring hallucinogen and is a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist. To better understand the ligand-receptor interactions, a series of dicarboxylic ester-type of salvinorin A derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their binding affinity at κ-, δ- and μ-opioid receptors....
Extraction of fresh Salvia divinorum leaves afforded salvinorins E and D as potential biosynthesis precursors of salvinorin A, a major metabolite and a potent hallucinogen. Attempts at HPLC purification of salvinorin E (2) with acetonitrile as a solvent revealed an equilibrium with its regioisomer, salvinorin D (3), in a 3:5 ratio. The presence of both compounds was readily observed in the (1)H...