Localization of salvinorin A and related compounds in glandular trichomes of the psychoactive sage, Salvia divinorum.
Annals of botany June 2004 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mch089 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Salvia divinorum plant organs, tissues, and glandular secretions |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Key findings | Salvinorin A and related neoclerodane diterpenes are secreted as components of a complex resin that accumulates in the subcuticular space of peltate glandular trichomes. These trichomes were found only on the abaxial surfaces of leaves, stems, rachises, bracts, pedicels, and calyces, consistent with the presence of neoclerodane diterpenes in those organs and their absence elsewhere. |
Abstract
Salvia divinorum produces several closely related neoclerodane diterpenes. The most abundant of these, salvinorin A, is responsible for the psychoactive properties of the plant. To determine where these compounds occur in the plant, various organs, tissues and glandular secretions were chemically analysed. A microscopic survey of the S. divinorum plant was performed to examine the various types of trichomes present and to determine their distribution. Chemical analyses were performed using thin layer chromatographic and histochemical techniques. Trichomes were examined using conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that neoclerodane diterpenes are secreted as components of a resin that accumulates in peltate glandular trichomes, specifically in the subcuticular space that exists between the trichome head cells and the cuticle that encloses them. Four main types of trichomes were observed: peltate glandular trichomes, short-stalked capitate glandular trichomes, long-stalked capitate glandular trichomes and non-glandular trichomes. Their morphology and distribution is described. Peltate glandular trichomes were only found on the abaxial surfaces of the leaves, stems, rachises, bracts, pedicles and calyces. This was consistent with chemical analyses, which showed the presence of neoclerodane diterpenes in these organs, but not in parts of the plant where peltate glandular trichomes are absent. Salvinorin A and related compounds are secreted as components of a complex resin that accumulates in the subcuticular space of peltate glandular trichomes.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on salvia divinorum, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacokinetics of the potent hallucinogen, salvinorin A in primates parallels the rapid onset and short duration of effects in humans. Adult female baboons | 2008 | Observational cohort | n = 6 |
| Salvia divinorum: effects and use among YouTube users. YouTube video posters using salvia | 2010 | Observational study using video analysis | n = 34 |
| In vitro stability and metabolism of salvinorin A in rat plasma. Rat plasma | 2009 | Observational study | |
| Salvia divinorum: exposures reported to a statewide poison control system over 10 years. Exposures to Salvia divinorum reported to the California Poison Control System | 2011 | Retrospective review | n = 37 |
| Time course of pharmacokinetic and hormonal effects of inhaled high-dose salvinorin A in humans. Healthy adults | 2016 | Observational study | n = 6 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 28
- Psychopharmacology of the hallucinogenic sage Salvia divinorum. Life Sciences December 22, 2005
- Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A: an update on pharmacology and analytical methodology. Planta Medica August 1, 2007
- Biosynthesis of the psychotropic plant diterpene salvinorin A: Discovery and characterization of the Salvia divinorum clerodienyl diphosphate synthase The Plant Journal November 19, 2016
- The hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum and its active ingredient salvinorin A inhibit enteric cholinergic transmission in the guinea-pig ileum. Neurogastroenterology & Motility 2006
- From local to global-fifty years of research on Salvia divinorum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology February 3, 2014
and 23 more in the library
Cites 10
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- 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
- Divinorin A, a psychotropic terpenoid, and divinorin B from the hallucinogenic Mexican mint, Salvia divinorum The Journal of Organic Chemistry November 1, 1984
- Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M.). Journal of Ethnopharmacology May 1, 1983
- Salvinorin A: the "magic mint" hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor. TIPS - Trends in Pharmacological Sciences March 1, 2003
and 5 more in the library