Neoclerodanes as atypical opioid receptor ligands.

Salvinorin A, the active component of the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum, activates opioid receptors—the same targets as morphine—despite being non-nitrogenous, a first for opioid receptor agonists. Its effects also do not involve previously studied psychotomimetic targets. This Perspective describes a research program aimed at developing tools to understand drug tolerance and dependence, with the goal of designing new treatments for pain, drug abuse, and other central nervous system disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin A is the major active component of the hallucinogenic mint plant Salvia divinorum Epling and Játiva (Lamiaceae). Since the finding that 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 through the previously investigated targets of psychotomimetics. This Perspective outlines our research program, illustrating a new direction to the development of tools to further elucidate the biological mechanisms of drug tolerance and dependence. The information gained from these efforts is expected to facilitate the design of novel agents to treat pain, drug abuse, and other central nervous system disorders.