Salvia divinorum Epling & Játiva (Lamiaceae) is a mint plant native to Oaxaca, Mexico that has been used for centuries for its vision-inducing and analgesic properties. Although the sacramental use of S. divinorum by indigenous people dates back hundreds of years, an understanding of the psychoactive effects by American and European drug users dates back only about 20 years. Since the finding that the major active component, salvinorin A, exerts its potent psychotropic actions through the activation of opioid receptors, the site of action of morphine and related analogues, there has been much interest in elucidating the underlying mechanisms behind its effects. These effects are particularly remarkable, because (1) salvinorin A is the first reported non-nitrogenous opioid receptor agonist, and (2) its effects are not mediated by serotonin receptors, the classical target of hallucinogens such as LSD and mescaline. This talk will outline our recent progress in developing novel treatments for CNS disorders by targeting opioid receptors. In particular, our efforts to develop drug abuse medications through a better understanding of the chemistry and pharmacology of salvinorin A will be described.

Salvia divinorum: A unique CNS active plant

251st National Meeting (2016)

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