A unique natural selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, salvinorin A, and its roles in human therapeutics.
Phytochemistry May 1, 2017 André Cruz, Sara Domingos, Eugenia Gallardo et al. 44 citations
Salvinorin A, the active compound in the plant Salvia divinorum, is the most potent natural hallucinogen known, with as little as 200-500 μg of smoked leaves producing intense hallucinations. It acts as a highly selective agonist of the kappa-opioid receptor. Originally used only by the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, it has become a globally accessible drug of abuse. Scientific interest has grown due to its unique structure and properties; studies have demonstrated antinociceptive, antidepressant, in some circumstances pro-depressant, and anti-addictive effects, opening potential new avenues for therapeutic applications.