Salvinorin A: target receptors identified

[phase_dancer]

From: TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences Vol.24 No.3 March 2003

Salvinorin A: the `magic mint' hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor

Douglas J. Sheffler1 and Bryan L. Roth, 2

1 Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University Medical School, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
2 National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program and Departments of Biochemistry, Psychiatry, and Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University Medical School, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

Available online 27 February 2003.


Abstract
Salvinorin A, a neoclerodane diterpene, is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen known and rivals the synthetic hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide in potency. Recently, the molecular target of salvinorin A was identified as the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). Salvinorin A represents the only known non-nitrogenous KOR selective agonist. Based on the selectivity of salvinorin A for the KOR, this receptor represents a potential molecular target for the development of drugs to treat disorders characterized by alterations in perception, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorder.

Abstact here

Full article here (pdf)

Thanks to Chemis Tris

 

[Pleonastic]

Nice. Yet another drug they're trying to ban looks like having potential to help fight some nasty conditions. Hope the beaurocrats manage to pull their heads out of their arse and give the scientists free reign to conduct some proper tests...

 

[apollo]

^^ You'd hope so considering this

Based on the selectivity of salvinorin A for the KOR, this receptor represents a potential molecular target for the development of drugs to treat disorders characterized by alterations in perception, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorder.

Cheers phase_dancer

 

[Pleonastic]

Yep, exactly. That's the very quote that made me post as I did. Lets pray that logic and reason prevails, and that they're all still busy with their war on terror to pay much attention to Salvia right now...

 

[Hardicus]

Fucking good work. Great that a) they've unshrouded some of the mystery surrounding this drug, which i'm assuming is why it was innitially banned, and b) that it may have benefial uses, outstanding!