Effect of kappa-opioid receptor agonists U69593, U50488H, spiradoline and salvinorin A on cocaine-induced drug-seeking in rats.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior December 1, 2009 Aashish S. Morani, Bronwyn Kivell, Thomas E. Prisinzano et al. 91 citations
Pretreatment with several kappa-opioid receptor agonists, including salvinorin A (Sal A), the active compound in Salvia divinorum, reduced cocaine-induced drug-seeking in rats. After learning to self-administer cocaine, rats underwent extinction and then received a cocaine priming injection. Cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking was attenuated by U69593, U50488H, spiradoline, and Sal A. Sal A did not affect sucrose-reinforced responding or cocaine-induced hyperactivity, suggesting its effects are specific to drug-seeking. These findings indicate that Sal A, like other kappa-opioid agonists, can suppress cocaine-seeking behavior.