Psihotropna biljna vrsta Salvia divinorum Epl. & Jativa - izvor najpotentnijeg halucinogena u prirodi

This review article summarizes the current knowledge about the metabolism, pharmacological effect, traditional and modem therapeutic use and safety of S. divinorum. Salvia divinorum is a plant of the Lamiaceae family which has a psychoactive, hallucinogenic effect. The main psychoactive ingredient is diterpene salvinorin A which is considered the most potent natural hallucinogen. Hallucinogenic doses in humans are estimated as low as 200-500 μg. ln the traditional medicine the plant is consumed primarily to encourage shamanic visions in the context of healing or divination, but also as a drug at lower doses (diuretic, antidiaroic, antianemic, analgesic and antirheumatic). The research has shown that salvinorin A is a potent K-opioid receptor agonist. K-opioid receptors agonists are of therapeutic importance in treating pain and possibly drug addiction, eating disorders, depression, and even in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, salvinorin A represents a new class of selective K-opioid receptor agonist without nitrogen in its structure. Such agonists have profound influence on human cognition and perception. There are suggestions that salvinorin A could be useful in treating certain psychiatric disorders (eg Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and dementia). lt also becomes a new molecular candidate in the development of antipsychotic drugs