The discriminative effects of the κ-opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A in nonhuman primates: Dissociation from classic hallucinogen effects

E. R. Butelman, Szymon Rus, Thomas E. Prisinzano, Mary Jeanne Kreek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rationale The widely available hallucinogen salvinorin A is a unique example of a plant-derived compound selective for κ-opioid receptors and may produce effects distinct from those of other compounds with classic hallucinogenic or dissociative properties which are also abused in humans. Objectives The objective of this study is to characterize the salvinorin A discriminative cue in nonhuman primates with high κ-receptor genetic homology to humans. Methods Adult rhesus monkeys (n=3) were trained to discriminate salvinorin A (0.015 mg/kg, s.c.) from vehicle, in a food-reinforced operant discrimination assay. Parallel studies, using unconditioned behavioral endpoints (facial relaxation and ptosis) also evaluated the κ-opioid receptor mediation of salvinorin A in vivo function. Results Monkeys trained to discriminate salvinorin A generalized structurally diverse, centrally penetrating κagonists (bremazocine, U69,593, and U50,488). By contrast,- and δ-opioid agonists (fentanyl and SNC80, respectively) were not generalized, nor were the serotonergic 5HT2 hallucinogen psilocybin or the dissociative N-methylD-aspartic acid antagonist, ketamine. The discriminative effects of salvinorin A were blocked by the opioid antagonist quadazocine (0.32 mg/kg), but not by the 5HT2 antagonist ketanserin (0.1 mg/kg). Consistent with these findings, salvinorin and κ-agonists (e.g., U69,593) produce effects in the unconditioned endpoints (e.g., ptosis), whereas psilocybin was inactive. Conclusions These findings support the conclusion that the interoceptive/ discriminative cue produced by salvinorin A is mediated by agonism at κ-receptors and is mechanistically distinct from that produced by a classic serotonergic hallucinogen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253-262
Number of pages10
JournalPsychopharmacology
Volume210
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgements These studies were funded by NIH-NIDA grants DA017369 (ERB), DA018151 (TEP), and DA05130 (MJK).

Keywords

  • Dynorphin
  • Hallucinogen
  • Opioid
  • Salvia divinorum
  • Salvinorin A
  • κ-opioid

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The discriminative effects of the κ-opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A in nonhuman primates: Dissociation from classic hallucinogen effects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this