Psychoactive "bath salts" intoxication with methylenedioxypyrovalerone

Abuse of the psychoactive "designer drug" methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) has become a serious international public health concern because of the severity of its physical and behavioral toxicities. MDPV is the primary ingredient in so-called "bath salts," labeled as such to avoid criminal prosecution and has only been classified recently as a controlled substance in the United States and some other countries. However, it remains a danger because of illegal sources, including the Internet. MDPV is a synthetic, cathinone-derivative, central nervous system stimulant and is taken to produce a cocaine- or methamphetamine-like high. Administered via oral ingestion, nasal insufflation, smoking, intravenous or intramuscular methods, or the rectum, the intoxication lasts 6 to 8 hours and has high addictive potential. Overdoses are characterized by profound toxicities, causing increased attention by emergency department and law enforcement personnel. Physical manifestations range from tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, hyperthermia, sweating, rhabdomyolysis, and seizures to those as severe as stroke, cerebral edema, cardiorespiratory collapse, myocardial infarction, and death. Behavioral effects include panic attacks, anxiety, agitation, severe paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, and behavior that is aggressive, violent, and self-destructive. Treatment is principally supportive and focuses on counteracting the sympathetic overstimulation, including sedation with intravenous benzodiazepines, seizure-prevention measures, intravenous fluids, close (eg, intensive care unit) monitoring, and restraints to prevent harm to self or others. Clinical presentation is often complicated by coingestion of other psychoactive substances that may alter the treatment approach. Clinicians need to be especially vigilant in that MDPV is not detected by routine drug screens and overdoses can be life-threatening.

Synthetic cathinones: chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of a new class of designer drugs of abuse marketed as "bath salts" or "plant food"

In 2000s, many synthetic cathinones have received a renewed popularity as designer drugs of abuse, particularly among young people. Despite being marketed as "bath salts" or "plant food" and labeled "not for human consumption", people utilize these substances for their amphetamine or cocaine like effects. Since the time of their appearance in the recreational drug market, in several countries have been signaled numerous confirmed cases of abuse, dependence, severe intoxication and deaths related to the consumption of synthetic cathinones. The aim of this paper is to summarize the clinical, pharmacological and toxicological information about this new class of designer drugs of abuse.

Psychopharmacological profile of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) essential oil in mice

In this study, the effect of Matricaria recutita L. essential oil (MEO) on the central nervous system (CNS) of mice was investigated using some behavioral methods. Chemical profiling both by GC and GC-MS analyses of the hydrodistilled essential oil of M. recutita revealed α-bisabolol oxide A (28%), α-bisabolol oxide B (17.1%), (Z)-β-Farnesene (15.9%) and α-bisabolol (6.8%) as the main components. Changes induced by MEO (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and reference drug caffeine (25 mg/kg) in spontaneous locomotor activities and motor coordinations of mice were investigated by activity cage measurements and Rota-Rod tests, respectively. Open field, social interaction and elevated plus-maze tests were applied to assess the emotional state of the animals. Further, tail-suspension test was performed for evaluating the effect of MEO on depression levels of mice. As a result, at 50 and 100 mg/kg, MEO significantly increased the numbers of spontaneous locomotor activities, exhibited anxiogenic effect in the open field, elevated plus-maze and social interaction tests and decreased the immobility times of animals in tail suspension tests. The falling latencies in Rota-Rod tests did not change. This activity profile of MEO was similar to the typical psychostimulant caffeine. The exact mechanism of action underlying this stimulant-like effect should be clarified with further detailed studies.

[Screening and confirmation of psychotropic drugs in blood and urine by HPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a screening and confirmation method for psychotropic drugs and their metabolites in human blood and urine by HPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS.

METHODS

The samples were pretreated with Sirocco protein precipitation plate, and then analyzed by HPLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS. The method was validated in terms of the limit of detection (LOD). An accurate mass database was created for psychotropic drugs screening.

RESULTS

The LOD for most of 56 determined compounds was < or = 0.1 ng/mL. The accurate mass database included the accurate mass information of 61 psychotropic drugs.

CONCLUSION

The method is accurate, rapid, sensitive and the database is suitable for psychotropic drugs screening and confirmation.

Illicit bath salts: not for bathing

BACKGROUND

There has been an increase in the popularity of designer drugs known as "Bath Salts" in the United States. These products commonly contain mephedrone, mephylone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), or other cathinone derivatives with psychoactive properties similar to amphetamine and cocaine. Although recently outlawed, abuse of these products continues to occur in Mississippi.

METHODS

We report a 19-year-old male who presented with paranoia and auditory as well as visual hallucinations. Auditory effects included voices that prompted him to kill people. The patient displayed anxiety, paranoia, and exhibited repeated bouts of inappropriate laughter. Urine toxicology analysis via GC/ MS detected MDPV, a compound structurally similar to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should be aware that these designer drugs are not detected with common immunoassay drug screens. Symptoms most commonly associated with these substances include tachycardia, delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. Psychosis, self harm, and death have been associated with some cases.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of THC, 11-hydroxy-THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC in whole blood by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A qualitative and quantitative analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and l1-nor-9-carboxy-Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in whole blood. The samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) analysis using positive ion electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. The chromatographic separation was performed with an Acquity UPLC® HSS T3 (50 × 2.1 mm i.d., 1.8 µm) reversed-phase column using a methanol/2 mM ammonium formate (formic acid 0.1%) gradient in a total run time of 9.5 min. MS/MS detection was achieved with two precursor-product ion transitions per substance. The method was fully validated, including selectivity and capacity of identification, according to the identification criteria (two transitions per substance, signal-to-noise ratio, relative retention time and ion ratio) without the presence of interferences, limit of detection (0.2 µg/L for THC and 0.5 µg/L for 11-OH-THC and THC-COOH), limit of quantitation (0.5 µg/L for all cannabinoids), recovery (53-115%), carryover, matrix effect (34-43%), linearity (0.5-100 µg/L), intra-assay precision (CV < 10% for the relative peak area ratios and <0.1% for the relative retention time), inter-assay accuracy (mean relative error <10%) and precision (CV <11%). The method has already been successfully used in proficiency tests and subsequently applied to authentic samples in routine forensic analysis.

[Strategy for the development of dipeptide drugs]

The author describes an original approach to the development of dipeptide drugs based on the concept of the leading role of the beta-bend in the interaction of biologically active endogenous peptides with their receptors. The approach called "peptide-based drug design" includes both developments from the structure of a known psychotropic agent toward its topological peptide analog and developments from the active dipeptide site of a neuropeptide toward its mimetic. This strategy has been worked out at the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology for 25 years. Results of investigations that discovered endogenous peptide prototypes of the known non-peptidic drugs (piracetam and sulpiride) are presented. They provided a basis for the creation of highly active non-toxic oral dipeptide preparations, such as nootrop Noopept, potential anti psychotic Dilept, and potential selective anxiolytic GB-115.

Monitoring of herbal mixtures potentially containing synthetic cannabinoids as psychoactive compounds

Herbal mixtures like 'Spice' with potentially bioactive ingredients were available in many European countries since 2004 and are still widely used as a substitute for cannabis, although merchandized as 'herbal incense'. After gaining a high degree of popularity in 2008, big quantities of these drugs were sold. In December 2008, synthetic cannabinoids were identified in the mixtures which were not declared as ingredients: the C(8) homolog of the non-classical cannabinoid CP-47,497 (CP-47,497-C8) and a cannabimimetic aminoalkylindole called JWH-018. In February 2009, a few weeks after the German legislation put these compounds and further pharmacologically active homologs of CP-47,497 under control, another cannabinoid appeared in 'incense' products: the aminoalkylindole JWH-073. In this paper, the results of monitoring of commercially available 'incense' products from June 2008 to September 2009 are presented. In this period of time, more than 140 samples of herbal mixtures were analyzed for bioactive ingredients and synthetic cannabimimetic substances in particular. The results show that the composition of many products changed repeatedly over time as a reaction to prohibition and prosecution of resellers. Therefore neither the reseller nor the consumer of these mixtures can predict the actual content of the 'incense' products. As long as there is no possibility of generic definitions in the controlled substances legislation, further designer cannabinoids will appear on the market as soon as the next legal step has been taken. This is affirmed by the recent identification of the aminoalkylindoles JWH-250 and JWH-398. As further cannabinoids can be expected to occur in the near future, a continuous monitoring of these herbal mixtures is required. The identification of the synthetic opioid O-desmethyltramadol in a herbal mixture declared to contain 'kratom' proves that the concept of selling apparently natural products spiked with potentially dangerous synthetic chemicals/pharmaceuticals is a continuing trend on the market of 'legal highs'.

Purchasing 'legal highs' on the Internet--is there consistency in what you get?

BACKGROUND

The supply of recreational drugs has changed and users increasingly buy 'legal highs' over the Internet. Use of these is common and there is a potential for significant toxicity associated with their use.

AIM

To determine the content of legal highs available for purchase in the UK and whether the content of these remains consistent.

METHODS

Twenty-six legal highs were purchased monthly from five different Internet sites over 6 months. These were analysed to determine the drugs in the products and whether there were any changes in their content over this time period.

RESULTS

All products were supplied initially, but there was a decline in supply of products month by month. The following drug classes were detected: piperazines, cathinones, caffeine/ephedrine or products in which no psychoactive drugs were detected. Of the products supplied on more than one occasion, 15 (75%) contained the same compounds on each occasion. In three products there was a change in the piperazine detected, with 1-benzylpiperazine being substituted for 1-methyl-4-benzylpiperazine or vice versa. In two other products there was a cathinone [4-fluorophenylpiperazine (pFPP) or 3-fluromethcathinone (3FMC)] detected in products purchased in Month 1 that was not present in the products purchased in subsequent months.

CONCLUSION

Whilst there was no variation in the composition of most legal highs supplied over 6 month, there was significant variation in the piperazine or cathinone content of one quarter of the products. This variation could be of clinical significance as the cathinone and piperazine products can be associated with significant toxicity.

Psychedelics and the human receptorome

We currently understand the mental effects of psychedelics to be caused by agonism or partial agonism of 5-HT(2A) (and possibly 5-HT(2C)) receptors, and we understand that psychedelic drugs, especially phenylalkylamines, are fairly selective for these two receptors. This manuscript is a reference work on the receptor affinity pharmacology of psychedelic drugs. New data is presented on the affinity of twenty-five psychedelic drugs at fifty-one receptors, transporters, and ion channels, assayed by the National Institute of Mental Health-Psychoactive Drug Screening Program (NIMH-PDSP). In addition, comparable data gathered from the literature on ten additional drugs is also presented (mostly assayed by the NIMH-PDSP). A new method is introduced for normalizing affinity (K(i)) data that factors out potency so that the multi-receptor affinity profiles of different drugs can be directly compared and contrasted. The method is then used to compare the thirty-five drugs in graphical and tabular form. It is shown that psychedelic drugs, especially phenylalkylamines, are not as selective as generally believed, interacting with forty-two of forty-nine broadly assayed sites. The thirty-five drugs of the study have very diverse patterns of interaction with different classes of receptors, emphasizing eighteen different receptors. This diversity of receptor interaction may underlie the qualitative diversity of these drugs. It should be possible to use this diverse set of drugs as probes into the roles played by the various receptor systems in the human mind.

[Structure of psychoactive substances determined in medical toxicology laboratory]

Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology and Drug Monitoring, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Kraków performs analysis for patients from Kraków and south-east Poland. The determinations are made for intoxicated patients treated in the Toxicology Ward, for addicted patients treated in Detoxification Unit and other hospitals. The most often determined compounds are psychoactive substances (ethanol, drugs of abuse, psychotropic medicines). The purpose of the paper was to study structure of positive results of some psychoactive substances within seven years. In the study archived data of determinations registered in Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology and Drug Monitoring UJ MC in Kraków in the years 2002-2008 were used. The material was blood and urine samples collected for diagnostic of poisoned and addicted patients. There were used methods: EMIT (amphetamines, benzodiazepines, ecstasy, opiates, THC), FPIA (barbiturates, cocaine, tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)), colorimetric test (phenotiazines), thin layer chromatography (tramal). Annual mean numbers of positive results of psychoactive substances in the years 2002-2008 were: 411.7 for benzodiazepines, 234.1--amphetamines, 195.7--phenotiazines 168.4--opiates, 158.3--THC, 149.9 TCA, 87.9--barbiturates, 23.4--tramal 5.0--cocaine, 3.0--ecstasy. The structure and number of abused psychoactive substances determinations in 2002-2008 was studied. The numbers of positive results of benzodiazepines, amphetamines, THC and opiates were stable. The greatest increase of numbers of positive results was observed for cocaine and ecstasy in the studied period of time.

Direct analysis of psychoactive tryptamine and harmala alkaloids in the Amazonian botanical medicine ayahuasca by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A direct injection/liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry procedure has been developed for the simultaneous quantitation of 11 compounds potentially found in the increasingly popular Amazonian botanical medicine and religious sacrament ayahuasca. The method utilizes a deuterated internal standard for quantitation and affords rapid detection of the alkaloids by a simple dilution assay, requiring no extraction procedures. Further, the method demonstrates a high degree of specificity for the compounds in question, as well as low limits of detection and quantitation despite using samples for analysis that had been diluted up to 200:1. This approach also appears to eliminate potential matrix effects. Method bias for each compound, examined over a range of concentrations, was also determined as was inter- and intra-assay variation. Its application to the analysis of three different ayahuasca preparations is also described. This method should prove useful in the study of ayahuasca in clinical and ethnobotanical research as well as in forensic examinations of ayahuasca preparations.

Investigations of the phytochemical content of Sceletium tortuosum following the preparation of "Kougoed" by fermentation of plant material

AIM OF THE STUDY

Sceletium plant species that contain alkaloids are claimed to have mood elevation and anti-anxiety properties, especially after the plant material has been fermented. The fermented preparation is locally known as "kougoed" or "channa" and has been emphasized and advertised for its increased potency when incorporated in commercial products. The aim of the study was to investigate quantitative and qualitative changes in alkaloidal content following fermentation of plant samples carried out under controlled conditions and also on pure mesembrine hydrochloride (MHCl).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples were prepared from the aerial parts of Sceletium tortuosum. Studies were also conducted on mesembrine hydrochloride (MHCl) in aqueous and methanolic solutions under similar conditions of exposure to sunlight as well as under ambient and elevated temperature (40+/-2 degrees C). Quantitative and qualitative changes in alkaloidal content were monitored by HPLC and LC-MS, respectively.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The initial fermentation study showed transformation of mesembrine to Delta(7)mesembrenone, where the content of the former decreased from a concentration of 1.33% to 0.05% whilst the latter increased from below its limit of quantitation (LoQ) to 0.11% on the 10th day. The experiments on pure MHCl revealed similar transformations in aqueous solutions whereas no change was seen in methanolic solutions. Sunlight and aqueous conditions appear necessary to facilitate the transformation, which was confirmed by the absence of such a transformation when solutions of MHCl were kept in the dark.

Polycyclic compounds: ideal drug scaffolds for the design of multiple mechanism drugs?

Recently there has been a resurging interest in developing multi-functional drugs to treat diseases with complex pathological mechanisms. Such drug molecules simultaneously target multiple etiologies that have been found to be important modulators in specific diseases. This approach has significant promise and may be more effective than using one compound specific for one drug target or, by a polypharmaceutical approach, using a cocktail of two or more drugs. Polycyclic ring structures are useful as starting scaffolds in medicinal chemistry programs to develop multi-functional drugs, and may also be useful moieties added to existing structures to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs currently used in the clinic or under development. This review attempts to provide a synopsis of current published research to exemplify the use of polycyclic compounds as starting molecules to develop multi-functional drugs.

Modification of the effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine on exploratory behavior in rats by monoamine oxidase inhibitors

RATIONALE

The hallucinogenic tea known as ayahuasca is made from a combination of psychoactive plants that contribute the active components N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy-DMT (5-MeO-DMT), as well as the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (MAOIs) harmine and harmaline for oral activity.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the effects of 5-MeO-DMT in combination with MAOIs in rats using the behavioral pattern monitor, which enables analyses of patterns of locomotor activity and exploration. Interaction studies using the serotonin (5-HT)(1A) antagonist WAY-100635 (1.0 mg/kg) and the 5-HT(2A) antagonist MDL 11,939 (1.0 mg/kg) were also performed to assess the respective contributions of these receptors to the behavioral effects of 5-MeO-DMT in MAOI-treated animals.

RESULTS

5-MeO-DMT (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg) decreased locomotor activity and investigatory behavior. In rats pretreated with a behaviorally inactive dose of harmaline (0.1 mg/kg), 1.0 mg/kg 5-MeO-DMT had biphasic effects on locomotor activity, initially reducing locomotion and then increasing activity as time progressed. The ability of harmaline to shift 5-MeO-DMT to a biphasic locomotor pattern was shared by the selective MAO(A) inhibitor clorgyline, whereas the selective MAO(B) inhibitor (-)-deprenyl was ineffective. The late hyperactivity induced by the combination of 1.0 mg/kg 5-MeO-DMT and 0.3 mg/kg clorgyline was blocked by pretreatment with MDL 11,939. Pretreatment with WAY-100635 failed to attenuate either the early hypoactivity or the late hyperactivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability of harmaline to modify the behavioral effects of 5-MeO-DMT is mediated by the inhibition of MAO(A). Furthermore, 5-HT(2A) receptors are responsible for the late hyperactivity induced by 5-MeO-DMT in the presence of MAO(A) inhibitors.

[Oxidative activity of electrochemically synthesized sodium persulfate solutions against some psychotropic agents]

By using some psychotropic agents as an example, investigations of the oxidative activity of electrochemically synthesized sodium persulfate solutions were continued. The derivatives of phenothiazines, xanthene, and dibenzazepines were shown to be oxidized by synthesized sodium persulfate solution to low-toxic products. Oxidation products were ascertained to coincide with the known products of their biotransformation in the body.

In vivometabolism of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-propylthiophenethylamine in rat

The in vivo metabolism of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-propylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-7), a ring-substituted psychoactive phenethylamine, was studied in rat. Male Wistar rats were administered 10 mg/kg 2C-T-7 hydrochloride orally, and 24-h urine fractions were collected. After enzymatic hydrolysis of the urine sample, the metabolites were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. 2C-T-7-sulfoxide, N-acetyl-2C-T-7-sulfoxide, N-acetyl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylthiophenethylamine-sulfoxide, N-acetyl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-hydroxypropylthio)phenethylamine-sulfoxide, and N-acetyl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-hydroxypropylthio)phenethylamine-sulfone were detected as the primary metabolites of 2C-T-7. These findings suggest that sulfoxidation, sulfone formation, hydroxylation of the propyl side chain at the beta-position, and S-depropylation followed by methylation of thiol were the major metabolic pathways of 2C-T-7 in rat.

Analysis and sorption of psychoactive drugs onto sediment

An analytical method was developed to analyze eight psychoactive pharmaceuticals--including the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the opiates morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, the opiode tramadol, and the tranquilizers diazepam, oxazepam, temazepam--and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole as well as three metabolites (10,11-dihydrocarbamazepine (DHC), 10,11-dihydroxy-10, 11-dihydrocarbamazepine, and N4-acetylsulfamethoxazole) in river sediments. Relative recoveries of all analytes exceeded 97% using either deuterated or 13C15N-labeled surrogate standards. Sorption isotherms of all analytes were constructed at pH 6.5-6.6 on two natural river sediments (Burgen and Dausenau) that differed in organic carbon contents and particle size distributions. Affinities of all analytes were up to an order of magnitude higher for the Dausenau sediment in comparison to the Burgen sediment. Isotherms were well described by the Freundlich model. Sorption of all analytes was linear on the Burgen sediment except for structurally similar carbamazepine (n = 0.90) and DHC (n = 0.88). Conversely, most analytes showed pronounced nonlinear sorption to the Dausenau sediment (n = 0.77-0.92) except for positively charged codeine, dihydrocodeine, and tramadol. Linear sorption of the latter was taken to arise from concentration-independent electrostatic interactions of the organocations with negatively charged surfaces on clay minerals or in the sediment organic matter. Desorption gave rise to hysteresis in 13 out of 16 investigated analyte-sorbent systems. Hysteresis was likely due to slow desorption kinetics beyond 24 h used in the experiment.

Simultaneous GC-EI-MS determination of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human urine following tandem enzyme-alkaline hydrolysis

A sensitive and specific method for extraction and quantification of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) in human urine was developed and fully validated. To ensure complete hydrolysis of conjugates and capture of total analyte content, urine samples were hydrolyzed by two methods in series. Initial hydrolysis was with Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase (Type IX-A) followed by a second hydrolysis utilizing 10N NaOH. Specimens were adjusted to pH 5-6.5, treated with acetonitrile to precipitate protein, and centrifuged, and the supernatants were subjected to solid-phase extraction. Extracted analytes were derivatized with BSTFA and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact ionization. Standard curves were linear from 2.5 to 300 ng/mL. Extraction efficiencies were 57.0-59.3% for THC, 68.3-75.5% for 11-OH-THC, and 71.5-79.7% for THCCOOH. Intra- and interassay precision across the linear range of the assay ranged from 0.1 to 4.3% and 2.6 to 7.4%, respectively. Accuracy was within 15% of target concentrations. This method was applied to the analysis of urine specimens collected from individuals participating in controlled administration cannabis studies, and it may be a useful analytical procedure for determining recency of cannabis use in forensic toxicology applications.

Neurokinin 1 receptor antagonists--current prospects

The isolation of substance P (SP) in 1931, and the later discovery of its preferred neurokinin (NK)1 receptor, led to an intense research effort aimed at elucidating the biological role of SP, particularly within the central nervous system. There is now a large body of evidence to support the hypothesis that SP is one of the most important neurotransmitters and neuromodulators present in the brain. Its pharmacology has been intimately linked to the pathophysiology of several relevant neurological and psychiatric disorders, namely nociception, migraine, asthma, nausea, inflammatory bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence, anxiety and depression. This wide therapeutic potential triggered an unprecedented research effort, both preclinically and clinically, to identify appropriate NK1 receptor antagonists and transform them into effective drugs. To date, despite huge investments made by some of the largest pharmaceutical groups worldwide, aprepitant (MK-869, an anti-emetic agent) remains the only NK1 receptor antagonist on the market. Nevertheless, the 'NK1 receptor antagonist race' is not over, as witnessed by the significant number of patents and scientific publications claiming the discovery of new NK1 receptor antagonists issued in recent years. This review describes the most relevant results obtained in this field in the period 2005 to 2006.

myo-Inositol Monophosphatase: A Challenging Target for Mood Stabilising Drugs

myo-Inositol monophosphatase has long been a target for drug discovery. Recent work has given detailed insight into its mechanism and dynamics plus new activities and some novel series of inhibitors. The goal of a bio-available inhibitor for this enzyme, however, remains a major challenge for medicinal chemistry.

trans-2,3-dihydroxy-6a,7,8,12b-tetrahydro-6H-chromeno[3,4-c]isoquinoline: synthesis, resolution, and preliminary pharmacological characterization of a new dopamine D1 receptor full agonist

We report the synthesis of trans-2,3-dihydroxy-6a,7,8,12b-tetrahydro-6H-chromeno[3,4-c]isoquinoline hydrochloride 6 and the resolution of its enantiomers. This new compound is an oxygen bioisostere of the potent dopamine D1-selective full agonist dihydrexidine. The initial synthetic approach involved, as a key step, a Suzuki coupling between a chromene triflate and a boronate ester, followed by isoquinoline formation and reduction of the resulting isoquinoline. Subsequently, a more efficient route was developed that involved conjugate addition of an aryl Grignard reagent to a 2-nitrochromene. The title compound possessed high affinity (Ki=20-30 nM) for porcine D1-like receptors in native striatal tissue and full intrinsic activity at cloned human dopamine D1 receptors but had much lower affinity at dopamine D2-like receptors (Ki=3000 nM). The binding and functional properties of this compound illustrate again the utility of constructing dopamine D1 agonist ligands around the beta-phenyldopamine pharmacophore template.

[Effect of benzimidazole and its derivatives on electrical activity of Helix albescens Rossm neurons and behavior of rats]

We studied concentration dependency and the mechanisms of the effect of bezimidazole and its new derivatives on electrical processes in Helix albescens Rossm. neurons. These compounds appeared to have neurotropic properties dependent on their chemical structure and the types of neurons. We determined the threshold, optimal and toxic concentration values of the tested substances. Benzimidazole and 2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole at concentrations of 10(-3) and 10(-2) M elicit both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials on soma membrane of some pacemaker and non-pacemaker neurons and even cause a strong depolarization. The membrane of pacemaker neurons (namely, neuron RPa2) was found to have at least two spatially separated trigger sites with different trigger mechanism of action potential. After single intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg) of the substance solution, the tested compounds based on the discovered effects were separated into two groups. The first group inhibits locomotion and psychoemotional state of rats, the second group elicits the opposite effect. We found that at 100 and 150 mg/kg all tested substances inhibit the animal's activity.