While the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum has been safely consumed by humans for centuries for religious or recreational purposes without long-term side effects, its active component, salvinorin A, and molecular mechanism of action were not known until recently [1]. Notably, salvinorin A is a potent kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist that is highly selective for KOR without significant...
Salvinorin A is a potent and selective agonist of kappa opioid receptors in the brain. Recent studies in several animal models have revealed that Salvinorin A has anti-addiction, anti-depression properties and exhibits pronounced neuroprotective effects against hypoxia/ischemia induced brain damage, and have raised interest in potential clinical applications in several acute pathologies...