Salvinorin A: from natural product to human therapeutics.

The hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum, used traditionally by the Mazatecs for divination and shamanism, has seen increased recreational use in the past decade. Its active component, the neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin A, has been identified as acting through the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This discovery creates opportunities for drug discovery and development targeting a range of psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum (i.e., "magic mint") is a member of the Sage family that has been used for divination and shamanism by the Mazatecs. Over the past decade or so, S. divinorum has been increasingly used recreationally. The neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin A is the active component of S. divinorum, and recently, the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) has been identified, in vitro and in vivo, as its molecular target. The discovery of KOR as the molecular target of salvinorin A has opened up many opportunities for drug discovery and drug development for a number of psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders.