Extracts of the herb Salvia divinorum produce sedative-like effects in mice and rats, altering normal sleep patterns. In mice, non-polar, medium polar, and polar extracts all reduced activity, with the medium polar extract showing the strongest effects. In rats, the medium polar extract, which contains salvinorins, fragmented sleep by decreasing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increasing quiet wakefulness at doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg. These findings indicate that S. divinorum has depressant properties that disrupt physiological sleep architecture, supporting its traditional use as a tranquilizer but raising questions about its safety for sleep.
This review examines the molecular signaling pathways of bioactive diterpenes from the genus Salvia, focusing on their therapeutic potential for nervous and cardiovascular diseases. The authors describe mechanisms including effects on apoptosis, oxidative stress, amyloid beta accumulation, and tau phosphorylation that may underlie anti-Alzheimer properties. They note neuropharmacological actions via benzodiazepine and kappa opioid receptors, and neuroprotective effects of specific diterpenes such as tanshinone IIA, salvinorin A, cryptotanshinone, and miltirone. Tanshinone IIA is highlighted for cardioprotective effects, including antiarrhythmic activity and benefits in myocardial infarction, attributed to free radical scavenging and modulation of NF-κB and MAPKs. The authors call for comprehensive clinical trials to evaluate these compounds as leads.