Drug info - Article on possible reinforcing effects of Salvia

[imyourlittlebare]

Hallucinatory and rewarding effect of salvinorin A in zebrafish: κ-opioid and CB1-cannabinoid receptor involvement

Braida, Daniela1 ; Limonta, Valeria1; Pegorini, Simona1; Zani, Alessia1; Guerini-Rocco, Chiara1,2; Gori, Enzo1,2; Sala, Mariaelvina1

1. University of Milan, Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Medical Toxicology, Via Vanvitelli 32 20129 Milan Italy
2. University of Milan, Behavioural Pharmacology and Drug Dependence Center, Via Vanvitelli 32 20129 Milan Italy

Rationale
The hallucinatory effect and potential abuse of salvinorin A, the major ingredient of Salvia divinorum, has not been documented in animals.
Objective
The effects of salvinorin A on the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model, through its swimming behavior and conditioned place preference (CPP) task, was studied.
Materials and methods
Swimming activity was determined in a squared observational chamber after an i.m. treatment of salvinorin A (0.1–10 μg/kg). For the CPP test, zebrafish were given salvinorin A (0.2 and 1 μg/kg) or vehicle and evaluated in a two-compartment chamber.
Results
Salvinorin A (0.1 and 0.2 μg/kg) induced accelerated swimming behavior in comparison with vehicle, whereas a “trance-like” effect, at doses as 5 and 10 μg/kg, was obtained. Pretreatment with the κ-opioid antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI; 10 mg/kg) and the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) antagonist, rimonabant (1 mg/kg), blocked salvinorin A-induced both stimulating and depressive effects obtained at a dose of 0.2 and 10 μg/kg, respectively. In the CPP test, salvinorin A (0.2 and 0.5 μg/kg) produced an increase in the time spent in the drug-associated compartment. A dose of 1 μg/kg produced no effect, whereas a dose of 80 μg/kg induced aversion. Pretreatment with nor-BNI or rimonabant fully reversed the reinforcing properties of salvinorin A (0.5 μg/kg).
Conclusions
Taken together, these results indicate that salvinorin A, as is sometimes reported in humans, exhibits rewarding effects, independently from its motor activity, suggesting the usefulness of the zebrafish model to study addictive behavior. These effects appear mediated by activation of both κ-opioid and cannabinoid CB1 receptors.


I didnt know it was a "dirty" drug per say. I thought its main mode of activity was through kappa opiate activity making it a fairly useful tool for the pharmacological community to study anti-depressant effects. However, now it would be hard to separate anti-depressant effects from salvia and its CB 1 agonist activity. Bummer, you learn something new everyday. Just thought Id share info with the people.