Exploring the side effect profile of 16-Ethynyl Salvinorin A
January 1, 2019 Stephen Mathew
In preclinical tests with male rats, the kappa opioid receptor agonist 16-Ethynyl Salvinorin A (16-Ethy) at 2 mg/kg caused sedation only when rats were not habituated to their environment, while the related compound Salvinorin A caused sedation only in habituated rats. Neither compound produced depression-like behavior, anxiety, or aversion, nor did they alter cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization. Cocaine self-administration and dose-response tests were not successfully completed. 16-Ethy shows some promise as a potential pharmacotherapy for psychostimulant addiction, but further testing is needed.