The C-2 derivatives of salvinorin A, ethoxymethyl ether Sal B and β-tetrahydropyran Sal B, have anti-cocaine properties with minimal side effects.
Psychopharmacology August 1, 2017 Amy W M Ewald, Peter J Bosch, Aimee Culverhouse et al.
Two novel analogues of salvinorin A, EOM Sal B and β-THP Sal B, were tested in rats for their ability to reduce cocaine-related behaviors and their side effects. EOM Sal B dose-dependently reduced drug-seeking behavior in a reinstatement model and, along with β-THP Sal B, attenuated cocaine-induced hyperactivity without affecting general locomotion. Neither compound produced anxiety-like or depressive-like effects in the elevated plus maze or forced swim tests. However, β-THP Sal B caused aversion in the conditioned place aversion test. EOM Sal B showed no effect on sucrose self-administration, indicating selectivity for cocaine-related behaviors. EOM Sal B was more potent than salvinorin A and β-THP Sal B with fewer side effects.