[Authentication and ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)/MS analysis of magic mint, Salvia divinorum and its related plants].
Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan – January 01, 2008
Source: PubMed
Summary
Before regulation, identifying "magic mint" (Salvia divinorum), known for its hallucinogenic compound, was crucial. Researchers developed a precise method, confirming commercial Salvia varieties contained no salvinorin A, unlike actual "magic mint" leaves and concentrates (0.19-0.58%). A genetic test successfully distinguished "magic mint" from other Salvia plants. This simple, accurate technique offers a practical tool for regulating the plant.
Abstract
Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)/mass spectrometry (MS) analysis was performed to investigate whether commercial Salvia cultivars available in the Japanese market contain salvinorin A (1), which is an hallucinogen present in magic mint (Salvia divinorum) prior to the regulation of S. divinorum by the Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. In addition, a previously reported method to authenticate S. divinorum, utilizing an amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) was applied to the same samples to estimate the method's accuracy. As a result of the UPLC/MS analysis, it was clear that none of the tested cultivars possessed 1 while S. divinorum leaves and its processed products "concentrated salvia" contained 1 in the range from 0.19% to 0.58%. Furthermore, the ARMS method could clearly distinguish S. divinorum from the tested cultivars. In conclusion, the authentication method is considered to be useful for the practical regulation of S. divinorum due to its simplicity and accuracy.