Determination of salvinorins and divinatorins in Salvia divinorum leaves by liquid chromatography/multistage mass spectrometry.

Salvinorin A, a neoclerodane diterpenoid from the mint-family plant Salvia divinorum, is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen known, rivaling synthetic LSD. It is the only non-nitrogenous kappa-opioid-selective agonist. The plant, used in ancient Mexican traditions, is now widely cultivated in Europe as a recreational marijuana substitute and is illegal in some countries. Six salvinorins and three divinatorins have been isolated from its leaves. Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS(n)) is used for ion fragmentation, separation, and quantitation of these diterpenes, highlighting the role of LC in herbal extract analysis and MS(n) for diagnosing natural organic product classes.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen known and rivals synthetic LSD in potency. Structurally it belongs to the neoclerodane diterpenoids, and it is the only known non-nitrogenous kappa-opioid-selective agonist. Salvia divinorum (Diviner's sage) is a member of the mint family that was used in ancient Mexican traditional practices. Today it is widely cultivated in Europe as a recreational marijuana substitute; it is illegal to buy, sell or possess the plant or the active principle in some countries. Six different salvinorins and three divinatorins have been isolated from Salvia divinorum leaves. The ion fragmentation, separation and quantitation of these diterpenes by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS(n)) are described. The importance of LC in herbal extract determination and the chemical diagnostic power of MS(n) in the analysis of classes of natural organic products are discussed.