Pharmacokinetics of the plant-derived kappa-opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A in nonhuman primates

Synapse. 2005 Dec 1;58(3):208-10. doi: 10.1002/syn.20191.

Abstract

Salvinorin A, a potent hallucinogen isolated from the leaves of Salvia divinorum, has gained popularity among adolescents in the USA. No detailed study of the pharmacokinetics has been conducted in vivo. The present study investigates the in vivo pharmacokinetics of salvinorin A (0.032 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) in rhesus monkeys (n=4, 2 male, 2 female). The elimination t(1/2) was rapid (56.6+/-24.8 min) for all subjects. Pharmacokinetic differences (distribution t(1/2), elimination t(1/2), and AUC) were observed between males and females, suggesting potential sex differences in its pharmacologic effects. Salvinorin B, the presumed major metabolite, is observed to accumulate ex vivo; however, in this study it never reached the limit of detection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Diterpenes / administration & dosage
  • Diterpenes / blood
  • Diterpenes / pharmacokinetics*
  • Diterpenes, Clerodane
  • Female
  • Hallucinogens / administration & dosage
  • Hallucinogens / blood
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacokinetics*
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / blood
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacokinetics
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate / physiology
  • Narcotics / blood
  • Narcotics / pharmacokinetics
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / metabolism
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Diterpenes
  • Diterpenes, Clerodane
  • Hallucinogens
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Narcotics
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • salvinorin A