What is it about?
S. divinorum is a psychoactive plant that has been consumed as a recreational drug of abuse in the last years. Salvinorin A is its main constituent, and is responsible for the observed psychoactive effects. Both S. divinorum and salvinorin A have become controlled drugs in several countries, but they are not listed in the Schedules of the United Nations Drug Conventions.
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Why is it important?
Regarding the effects of S. divinorum consumption, almost all studies are based on in vivo or on surveys, and there are no studies in vitro on its toxicity. Furthermore, all studies are focused on the acute toxicological effects of the plant. So, it is of utmost importance to further investigate the effects of S. divinorum and salvinorin A, particularly using in vitro models, after prolonged exposures . It is not yet illegal in some states of USA and in some EU’countries. Because of its legality, the drug tends to be more popular among young people who cannot yet buy alcohol and who may be concerned about being arrested with weed or other drugs. Due to the fact that it is available on the internet for purchase, its use is now widely spread as drug of abuse, becoming an important issue that is lacking immense information.
Perspectives
The present work evaluated the in vitro toxicity induced by S. divinorum or salvinorin A in six cell lines, through MTT assays and LC50 determination. We believe that this review represents an useful tool in the knowledge of this drug of abuse, because toxicological aspects and its determination in those specimens which are relevant in the fields of forensic and clinical toxicology have been addressed.
Eugenia Gallardo
Universidade da Beira Interior
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Cytotoxic Effects of Salvinorin A, A Major Constituent of Salvia divinorum, Medicinal Chemistry, June 2016, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/1573406411666151005105617.
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