Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist Mesyl Sal B Attenuates Behavioral Sensitization to Cocaine with Fewer Aversive Side-Effects than Salvinorin A in Rodents.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) October 11, 2018 Bronwyn M Kivell, Kelly F Paton, Nitin Kumar et al. 45 citations
A potent and selective kappa opioid receptor (KOPr) analogue of Salvinorin A, Mesyl Sal B, reduces cocaine-induced hyperactivity and behavioral sensitization to cocaine in male rats without causing aversion, sedation, anxiety, or learning and memory deficits. It does not alter sucrose self-administration. However, it increases immobility in the forced swim test, indicating pro-depressive effects. In male mice, Mesyl Sal B is less potent than Salvinorin A at reducing pain in antinociceptive assays. The compound has fewer side effects and longer in vivo action than Salvinorin A, but its pain-relieving effects are limited.