Salvinorin A: from natural product to human therapeutics.
Timothy A Vortherms, Bryan L. Roth
Molecular interventions October 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1124/mi.6.5.7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Hallucinogens Psychedelics Psychoactive compounds Entheogens Kappa opioid receptor Kor Drug target Receptor pharmacology Drug discovery Pharmaceutical research Therapeutic development Medicinal chemistry Drug development Psychiatric treatments Mental health Therapeutics Neuropsychiatry Psychopharmacology |
| Citations | 91 |
| Key findings | Salvinorin A, the active component of Salvia divinorum, targets the kappa opioid receptor (KOR), opening opportunities for drug development for psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders. |
Abstract
The hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum (i.e., "magic mint") is a member of the Sage family that has been used for divination and shamanism by the Mazatecs. Over the past decade or so, S. divinorum has been increasingly used recreationally. The neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin A is the active component of S. divinorum, and recently, the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) has been identified, in vitro and in vivo, as its molecular target. The discovery of KOR as the molecular target of salvinorin A has opened up many opportunities for drug discovery and drug development for a number of psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders.