Inhibitory effect of salvinorin A, from Salvia divinorum, on ileitis-induced hypermotility: cross-talk between kappa-opioid and cannabinoid CB(1) receptors.
British journal of pharmacology November 1, 2008 R Capasso, F Borrelli, M G Cascio et al. 82 citations
Salvinorin A, the active compound in Salvia divinorum, slows intestinal movement by activating kappa-opioid receptors (KORs). In mice with croton oil-induced intestinal inflammation, this effect also involves cannabinoid CB1 receptors, as the CB1 antagonist rimonabant blocked the motility delay. In healthy mice, rimonabant did not affect salvinorin A's action. Binding tests showed salvinorin A has very weak affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors and does not inhibit endocannabinoid breakdown or uptake. The findings suggest a functional interaction between CB1 receptors and KORs occurs specifically in the inflamed gut, not in the normal gut.