Pharmacokinetics of the plant-derived kappa-opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A in nonhuman primates.
Matthew D Schmidt, Mark S Schmidt, Eduardo R Butelman, Wayne W Harding, Kevin Tidgewell, Daryl J Murry, Mary Jeanne Kreek, Thomas E Prisinzano
Synapse (New York, N.Y.) December 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20191 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSalvinorin A, a potent hallucinogen from Salvia divinorum, is rapidly eliminated from the body after intravenous administration in rhesus monkeys, with an average elimination half-life of about 57 minutes. Pharmacokinetic differences in distribution half-life, elimination half-life, and area under the curve were observed between males and females, suggesting potential sex differences in the drug's effects. The presumed major metabolite, salvinorin B, was not detected in the study, though it is known to accumulate outside the body.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | In vivo pharmacokinetic study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | Rhesus monkeys (2 male, 2 female) |
| Intervention | Salvinorin A |
| Dose | 0.032 mg/kg |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Plant hallucinogen Psychoactive substance Pharmacokinetics Drug metabolism |
| Citations | 85 |
| Key finding | Salvinorin A has a rapid elimination half-life of 56.6 ± 24.8 minutes in rhesus monkeys, and pharmacokinetic differences between males and females suggest potential sex differences in its effects. |
Abstract
Salvinorin A, a potent hallucinogen isolated from the leaves of Salvia divinorum, has gained popularity among adolescents in the USA. No detailed study of the pharmacokinetics has been conducted in vivo. The present study investigates the in vivo pharmacokinetics of salvinorin A (0.032 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) in rhesus monkeys (n=4, 2 male, 2 female). The elimination t(1/2) was rapid (56.6+/-24.8 min) for all subjects. Pharmacokinetic differences (distribution t(1/2), elimination t(1/2), and AUC) were observed between males and females, suggesting potential sex differences in its pharmacologic effects. Salvinorin B, the presumed major metabolite, is observed to accumulate ex vivo; however, in this study it never reached the limit of detection.