Salvia divinorum: from recreational hallucinogenic use to analgesic and anti-inflammatory action.

Salvia divinorum, a plant native to southwest Mexico, has been traditionally used for inflammatory conditions and pain. Its main active component, salvinorin A (SA), is a potent hallucinogen that acts on κ opioid and cannabinoid type 1 receptors. Recent research has uncovered the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind SA's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. However, due to SA's short duration and hallucinogenic properties, current research aims to develop analogues that provide long-lasting pain relief and reduced inflammation without psychoactive effects. This review examines the roles of S. divinorum, SA, and its analogues, focusing on analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties while also addressing psychoactive effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Salvia divinorum is a herbal plant native to the southwest region of Mexico. Traditional preparations of this plant have been used in illness treatments that converge with inflammatory conditions and pain. Currently, S. divinorum extracts have become popular in several countries as a recreational drug due to its hallucinogenic effects. Its main active component is a diterpene named salvinorin A (SA), a potent naturally occurring hallucinogen with a great affinity to the κ opioid receptors and with allosteric modulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors. Recent biochemical research has revealed the mechanism of action of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of SA at the cellular and molecular level. Nevertheless, because of their short-lasting and hallucinogenic effect, the research has focused on discovering a new analogue of SA that is able to induce analgesia and reduce inflammation with a long-lasting effect but without the hallucinatory component. In this review, we explore the role of S. divinorum, SA and its analogues. We focus mainly on their analgesic and anti-inflammatory roles but also mention their psychoactive properties.