Potential anxiolytic‐ and antidepressant‐like effects of salvinorin A, the main active ingredient of Salvia divinorum, in rodents
British Journal of Pharmacology May 5, 2009 Daniela Braida, Valeria Capurro, Alessia Zani et al. 145 citations
Salvinorin A, the active ingredient in Salvia divinorum, produced both anxiety-reducing and antidepressant-like effects in rats and mice. These effects were prevented by blocking either kappa-opioid or CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Salvinorin A reduced fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in the amygdala but showed very weak binding to CB1 receptors. The findings suggest that both kappa-opioid and endocannabinoid systems mediate these mood-altering effects, which may help explain subjective experiences reported by recreational users.