From local to global-fifty years of research on Salvia divinorum.
Ivan Casselman, Catherine J Nock, Hans Wohlmuth, Robert P Weatherby, Michael Heinrich
Journal of Ethnopharmacology February 3, 2014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.032 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | 2.136: botany 2.232: diterpenoids 2.312: hallucinogenic Psychoactive diterpene Potent diterpenoids Naturally hallucinogenic compound Ethnobotany traditional use Diterpenoids diterpene |
| Citations | 54 |
| Key findings | Salvinorin A, the main active constituent of Salvia divinorum, is a kappa-opioid agonist and the first reported psychoactive diterpene, but more research is needed on botany, genetics, non-terpene constituents, and human toxicology and safety. |
Abstract
In 1962 ethnopharmacologists, Hofmann and Wasson, undertook an expedition to Oaxaca, Mexico. These two researchers were the first scientists to collect a flowering specimen of Salvia divinorum allowing the identification of this species. While the species' traditional use is confined to a very small region of Mexico, since Hofmann and Wasson's expedition 50 years ago, Salvia divinorum has become globally recognized for its main active constituent, the diterpene salvinorin A, which has a unique effect on human physiology. Salvinorin A is a kappa-opioid agonist and the first reported psychoactive diterpene. This review concentrates on the investigation of Salvia divinorum over the last 50 years including ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, taxonomy, systematics, genetics, chemistry and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic research. For the purpose of this review, online search engines were used to find relevant research. Searches were conducted between October 2011 and September 2013 using the search term "Salvia divinorum". Papers were excluded if they described synthetic chemical synthesis of salvinorin A or analogues. Ethnobotanically there is a comprehensive body of research describing the traditional Mazatec use of the plant, however, the modern ethnobotanical use of this plant is not well documented. There are a limited number of botanical investigations into this plant and there are still several aspects of the botany of Salvia divinorum which need further investigation. One study has investigated the phylogenetic relationship of Salvia divinorum to other species in the genus. To date the main focus of chemistry research on Salvia divinorum has been salvinorin A, the main active compound in Salvia divinorum, and other related diterpenoids. Finally, the effects of salvinorin A, a KOR agonist, have primarily been investigated using animal models. As Salvia divinorum use increases worldwide, the emerging cultural use patterns will warrant more research. More botanical information is also needed to better understand this species, including germination, pollination vector and a better understanding of the endemic environment of Salvia divinorum. As well there is a gap in the genetic knowledge of this species and very little is known about its intra-species genetics. The terpenes in Salvia divinorum are very well documented, however, other classes of constituents in this species warrant further investigation and identification. To date, the majority of the pharmacology research on Salvia divinorum has focused on the effects of salvinorin A using animal models. Published human studies have not reported any harmful effects when salvinorin A is administered within the dose range of 0.375-21µg/kg but what are the implications when applied to a larger population? More data on the toxicology and safety of Salvia divinorum are needed before larger scale clinical trials of the potential therapeutic effects of Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are undertaken.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on salvia divinorum, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Here today, gone tomorrow…and back again? A review of herbal marijuana alternatives (K2, Spice), synthetic cathinones (bath salts), kratom, Salvia divinorum, methoxetamine, and piperazines. General (review of novel psychoactive substances) | 2012 | Review | |
| Opioid receptors and legal highs:Salvia divinorumand Kratom | 2008 | Review | |
| Salvinorin A: the "magic mint" hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor. | 2003 | Review | |
| Salvia divinorum and the unique diterpene hallucinogen, Salvinorin (divinorin) A. | 1994 | Review | |
| Drug models of schizophrenia. General (review of drug models of schizophrenia) | 2015 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- A unique natural selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, salvinorin A, and its roles in human therapeutics. Phytochemistry May 1, 2017
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Forensic Aspects Pharmaceuticals February 3, 2021
- Antinociceptive effects of Salvia divinorum and bioactive salvinorins in experimental pain models in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology February 10, 2020
- Chemogenomics knowledgebase and systems pharmacology for hallucinogen target identification-Salvinorin A as a case study. Journal of molecular graphics & modelling November 1, 2016
- Salvinorin A content in legal high products of Salvia divinorum sold in Mexico. Forensic Science International April 1, 2015
and 13 more in the library
Cites 74
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- Salvinorin, a new trans-neoclerodane diterpene from Salvia divinorum(Labiatae) Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions 1 1982
- Hallucinogens of Plant Origin Science January 17, 1969
- Salvinorin A, an active component of the hallucinogenic sage salvia divinorum is a highly efficacious kappa-opioid receptor agonist: structural and functional considerations. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics March 1, 2004
- Effects of the plant-derived hallucinogen salvinorin A on basal dopamine levels in the caudate putamen and in a conditioned place aversion assay in mice: agonist actions at kappa opioid receptors. Psychopharmacology May 1, 2005
and 69 more in the library