1
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Chen S, Zhou W, Lai M. Synthetic Cathinones: Epidemiology, Toxicity, Potential for Abuse, and Current Public Health Perspective. Brain Sci 2024; 14:334. [PMID: 38671986 PMCID: PMC11048581 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones, derived from cathinone found in the plant Catha edulis, represent the second largest and most frequently seized group of new psychoactive substances. They are considered as β-keto analogs of amphetamine, sharing pharmacological effects with amphetamine and cocaine. This review describes the neurotoxic properties of synthetic cathinones, encompassing their capacity to induce neuroinflammation, dysregulate neurotransmitter systems, and alter monoamine transporters and receptors. Additionally, it discusses the rewarding and abuse potential of synthetic cathinones drawing from findings obtained through various preclinical animal models, contextualized with other classical psychostimulants. The review also offers an overview of current abuse trends of synthetic cathinones on the illicit drug market, specifying the aspects covered, and underscores the risks they pose to public health. Finally, the review discusses public health initiatives and efforts to reduce the hazards of synthetic cathinones, including harm reduction methods, education, and current clinical management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315201, China; (S.C.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315201, China; (S.C.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Miaojun Lai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315201, China; (S.C.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo 315201, China
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2
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Du Y, Hua Z, Liu C, Lv R, Jia W, Su M. ATR-FTIR combined with machine learning for the fast non-targeted screening of new psychoactive substances. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 349:111761. [PMID: 37327724 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to the diversity and fast evolution of new psychoactive substances (NPS), both public health and safety are threatened around the world. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), which serves as a simple and rapid technique for targeted NPS screening, is challenging with the rapid structural modifications of NPS. To achieve the fast non-targeted screening of NPS, six machine learning (ML) models were constructed to classify eight categories of NPS, including synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, phenethylamines, fentanyl analogues, tryptamines, phencyclidine types, benzodiazepines, and "other substances" based on the 1099 IR spectra data items of 362 types of NPS collected by one desktop ATR-FTIR and two portable FTIR spectrometers. All these six ML classification models, including k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extra trees (ET), voting, and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were trained through cross validation, and f1-scores of 0.87-1.00 were achieved. In addition, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was performed on 100 synthetic cannabinoids with the most complex structural variation to investigate the structure-spectral property relationship, which leads to a summary of eight synthetic cannabinoid sub-categories with different "linked groups". ML models were also constructed to classify eight synthetic cannabinoid sub-categories. For the first time, this study developed six ML models, which were suitable for both desktop and portable spectrometers, to classify eight categories of NPS and eight synthetic cannabinoids sub-categories. These models can be applied for the fast, accurate, cost-effective, and on-site non-targeted screening of newly emerging NPS with no reference data available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, PR China; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Cuimei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, PR China; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China, Beijing 100193, PR China.
| | - Rulin Lv
- College of Forensic Science, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, PR China; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Mengxiang Su
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China.
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3
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Mata-Pesquera M, Fabregat-Safont D, Gil C, Ventura M, Steinmetz FP, Ibáñez M. Characterization of the recently detected cathinone N-cyclohexyl butylone: From structure elucidation to in silico supported pharmacological/toxicological considerations. Microchem J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2023.108577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
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4
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Aslani S, Armstrong DW. High Information Spectroscopic Detection Techniques for Gas Chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1676:463255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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5
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Synthetic Cathinones: Recent Developments, Enantioselectivity Studies and Enantioseparation Methods. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072057. [PMID: 35408456 PMCID: PMC9000803 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive substances represent a public health threat since they are not controlled by international conventions, are easily accessible online and are sold as a legal alternative to illicit drugs. Among them, synthetic cathinones are widely abused due to their stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. To circumvent the law, new derivatives are clandestinely synthesized and, therefore, synthetic cathinones keep emerging on the drug market, with their chemical and toxicological properties still unknown. In this review, a literature assessment about synthetic cathinones is presented focusing on the recent developments, which include more than 50 derivatives since 2014. A summary of their toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic properties are also presented. Furthermore, synthetic cathinones are chiral compounds, meaning that they can exist as two enantiomeric forms which may present different biological and toxicological activities. To analyze the enantiomers, the development of enantiomeric resolution methods for synthetic cathinones is crucial. Many methods have been reported over the years that include mostly chromatographic and electromigration techniques, with liquid chromatography using chiral stationary phases being the technique of choice. This review intended to present an overview of enantioselectivity studies and enantioseparation analysis regarding synthetic cathinones, highlighting the relevance of chirality and current trends.
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6
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Ye S, Hu J, Liu Z, Liang M. Progress and Research Trends on Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl. ( Catha edulis): A Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:705376. [PMID: 34867319 PMCID: PMC8632648 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.705376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl., known as Catha edulis or Khat is a traditional and regional plant for chewing, smoking and drinking, that has posed a worldwide public health problem due to its recent emerging abused consumption. In the face of the massive use of Catha edulis, we reviewed related publications to analyze the progress and research trends through bibliometric methods. After screening, a total of 514 scientific publications published from 1997 to 2020 were included by systematic retrieval from the Web of Science (WoS) database. According to further scientometric analysis, the annual number of publications output kept rising in most of the years. Ethiopia and the United States of America (USA) have been devoting significant contributions to the field. Though the research emphasis had been the chemical composition and pharmacological and toxicological effects for several years, the hot spots were transferred; the mechanism investigations of Catha edulis have been the focus in recent years, which might be continued in the future. Furthermore, co-operations of multi-disciplinary researchers are needed to minimize abuse harms and maximize the medicinal benefits of Catha edulis to human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ye
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zilong Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Man Liang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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7
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Kranenburg RF, Stuyver LI, de Ridder R, van Beek A, Colmsee E, van Asten AC. Deliberate evasion of narcotic legislation: Trends visualized in commercial mixtures of new psychoactive substances analyzed by GC-solid deposition-FTIR. Forensic Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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8
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Gonçalves JL, Alves VL, Aguiar J, Caldeira MJ, Teixeira HM, Câmara JS. Structure Assignment of Seized Products Containing Cathinone Derivatives Using High Resolution Analytical Techniques. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11030144. [PMID: 33673683 PMCID: PMC7997216 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The innovation of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market requires the rapid identification of new substances that can be a risk to public health, in order to reduce the damage from their use. Twelve seized products suspected to contain illicit substances were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Synthetic cathinones (SCat) were found in all products, either as a single component or in mixtures. Infrared spectra of all products were consistent with the molecular structure of SCat, showing an intense absorption band at 1700–1674 cm−1, corresponding to the carbonyl stretching, a medium/strong peak at 1605–1580 cm−1, indicating stretching vibrations in the aromatic ring (C=C) and bands with relative low intensity at frequencies near 2700–2400 cm−1, corresponding to an amine salt. It was possible to identify a total of eight cathinone derivatives by GC-MS and NMR analysis: 4′-methyl-α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (MPHP), α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP), 3-fluoromethcathinone (3-FMC), methedrone, methylone, buphedrone, N-ethylcathinone, and pentedrone. Among the adulterants found in these samples, caffeine was the most frequently detected substance, followed by ethylphenidate. These results highlight the prevalence of SCat in seized materials of the Portuguese market. Reference standards are usually required for confirmation, but when reference materials are not available, the combination of complementary techniques is fundamental for a rapid and an unequivocal identification of such substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- João L. Gonçalves
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (V.L.A.); (J.A.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.G.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Vera L. Alves
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (V.L.A.); (J.A.)
| | - Joselin Aguiar
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (V.L.A.); (J.A.)
| | - Maria J. Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária, Novo edifício-sede da Polícia Judiciária, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Helena M. Teixeira
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P., Polo das Ciências de Saúde (Polo III), Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José S. Câmara
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal; (V.L.A.); (J.A.)
- Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Correspondence: (J.L.G.); (J.S.C.)
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9
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Aldubayyan AA, Castrignanò E, Elliott S, Abbate V. Stability of synthetic cathinones in clinical and forensic toxicological analysis-Where are we now? Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:44-68. [PMID: 33283466 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the stability of analyzed drugs in biological samples is a crucial part for an appropriate interpretation of the analytical findings. Synthetic cathinones, as psychoactive stimulants, belong to a major class of new psychoactive substances. As they are subject to several degradation pathways, they are known to clinical and forensic toxicologists as unstable analytes in biological samples. When interpreting analytical data of synthetic cathinones in biological samples, analysts must be aware that the concentration of analytes may not accurately reflect the levels at the time they were acquired owing to many factors. This review provides (i) an overview of the current scientific knowledge on the stability of synthetic cathinones and/or metabolites in various human biological samples with a focus on factors that may deteriorate their stability-such as storage temperature, length of storage, matrix, pH, type of preservatives, concentration of analytes, and the chemistry of the analytes-and (ii) possible solutions on how to avoid such degradation. The PubMed database as well as Google Scholar was thoroughly searched to find published studies on the stability of synthetic cathinones since 2007 by searching specific keywords. A total of 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Synthetic cathinones that carry methylenedioxy or N-pyrrolidine ring showed higher degradation resistance over other substituted groups. Acidification of samples pH plays a crucial role at increasing the stability of cathinones even with analytes that were frequently considered as poorly stable. This review also provides several recommendations for best practice in planning the experimental design, preservation, and storage conditions in order to minimize synthetic cathinones' degradation in human biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz A Aldubayyan
- Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Toxicology, Central Military Laboratory and Blood Bank, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Erika Castrignanò
- Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Elliott
- Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.,Elliott Forensic Consulting Ltd., Birmingham, UK
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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10
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May MC, Pavone DC, Lurie IS. The separation and identification of synthetic cathinones by portable low microflow liquid chromatography with dual capillary columns in series and dual wavelength ultraviolet detection. J Sep Sci 2020; 43:3756-3764. [PMID: 32743973 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202000767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This study ascertained the viability of a portable liquid chromatograph, operating at low microliter per minute flow, for the analysis of seized drugs at remote sites as well as in laboratory settings. Synthetic cathinones were screened using dual capillary columns in series, C8 and biphenyl, with on-column ultraviolet detection at 255 and 275 nm. The relative retention times of the two columns in series and their peak area absorbance ratio were used to determine if the 16 synthetic cathinones investigated could be uniquely identified in these conditions. Based on these parameters all of the analytes could be distinguished. Representative mixtures of synthetic cathinones were used to determine the repeatability, linearity, and limits of detection of the method. This cost effective and green instrumentation has the potential to satisfy minimum international guidelines for the analysis of seized drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa C May
- Department of Forensic Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David C Pavone
- Department of Forensic Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ira S Lurie
- Department of Forensic Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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11
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Kavanagh P, Gofenberg M, Shevyrin V, Dvorskaya O, Dowling G, Grigoryev A. Tentative identification of the phase I and II metabolites of two synthetic cathinones, MDPHP and α-PBP, in human urine. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:1442-1451. [PMID: 32621389 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cathinone derivatives are one of the more prominent groups of new psychoactive substances in terms of the number of forensic case reports and the variety of chemical structures available. These substances often sold as "bath salts" are classified as psychostimulants. Using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, the metabolites of two pyrrolidine cathinone derivatives, α-PBP and the less common MDPHP, were tentatively identified in urine samples collected from patients admitted to hospital following drug intoxications. The major metabolic pathways for α-PBP and MDPHP were similar to those of their more common analogs (α-PVP and MDPV). Metabolites arising from hydroxylation, reduction of the carbonyl group to an alcohol, oxidation to form a lactam and subsequent ring-opening, and a combination of these processes were identified. In addition, biotransformations of the benzodioxole moiety in MDPHP included demethylenation with subsequent methylation and carboxylation of the butyl group. The majority of the hydroxylated metabolites of α-PBP and MDPHP were found to be glucuronidated. Both α-PBP and MDPHP undergo extensive metabolism and the chromatographic peak areas of the metabolites were found to be comparable to or exceeded those of the parent substances. Metabolites resulting from demethylenation and subsequent methylation (MDPHP), reduction of carbonyl group (α-PBP), and oxidation to form a lactam combined with ring-opening (α-PBP and MDPHP) were found to be the most useful target analytes for the confirmation of ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierce Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Saint James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mariia Gofenberg
- Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russia.,Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Vadim Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | | | - Geraldine Dowling
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Saint James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Andrej Grigoryev
- Forensic-Chemical Division, Bureau of Forensic-Medical Expertise, Moscow, Russia
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12
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Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
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13
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Kranenburg RF, van Geenen FAMG, Berden G, Oomens J, Martens J, van Asten AC. Mass-Spectrometry-Based Identification of Synthetic Drug Isomers Using Infrared Ion Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2020; 92:7282-7288. [PMID: 32286052 PMCID: PMC7240807 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Infrared ion spectroscopy (IRIS), a mass-spectrometry-based technique exploiting resonant infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD), has been applied for the identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Identification of the precise isomeric forms of NPS is of significant forensic relevance since legal controls are dependent on even minor molecular differences such as a single ring-substituent position. Using three isomers of fluoroamphetamine and two ring-isomers of both MDA and MDMA, we demonstrate the ability of IRIS to distinguish closely related NPS. Computationally predicted infrared (IR) spectra are shown to correspond with experimental spectra and could explain the molecular origins of their distinctive IR absorption bands. IRIS was then used to investigate a confiscated street sample containing two unknown substances. One substance could easily be identified by comparison to the IR spectra of reference standards. For the other substance, however, this approach proved inconclusive due to incomplete mass spectral databases as well as a lack of available reference compounds, two common analytical limitations resulting from the rapid development of NPS. Most excitingly, the second unknown substance could nevertheless be identified by using computationally predicted IR spectra of several potential candidate structures instead of their experimental reference spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben F. Kranenburg
- Unit
Amsterdam, Forensic Laboratory, Dutch National
Police, Kabelweg 25, Amsterdam 1014 BA, The Netherlands
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
| | - Fred A. M. G. van Geenen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Giel Berden
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Oomens
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Martens
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Arian C. van Asten
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
- Co
van Ledden Hulsebosch Center (CLHC), Amsterdam Center for Forensic
Science and Medicine, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The
Netherlands
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14
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Song Y, Cong Y, Wang B, Zhang N. Applications of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to pharmaceutical preparations. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2020; 17:551-571. [PMID: 32116058 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1737671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Various pharmaceutical preparations are widely used for clinical treatment. Elucidation of the mechanisms of drug release and evaluation of drug efficacy in biological samples are important in drug design and drug quality control.Areas covered: This review classifies recent applications of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the field of medicine to comprehend drug release and diffusion. Drug release is affected by many factors of preparations, such as drug delivery system and microstructure polymorphism. The applications of FTIR imaging and nano-FTIR technique in biological samples lay a foundation for studying drug mechanism in vivo.Expert opinion: FTIR spectroscopy meets the research needs on preparations to understand the processes and mechanisms underlying drug release. The combination of attenuated total reflectance-FTIR imaging and nano-FTIR accompanied by chemometrics is a potent tool to overcome the deficiency of conventional infrared detection. FTIR shows an enormous potential in drug characterization, drug quality control, and bio-sample detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Song
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanhua Cong
- Center for Pharmaceutics Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Center for Pharmaceutics Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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15
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Schifano F, Napoletano F, Arillotta D, Zangani C, Gilgar L, Guirguis A, Corkery JM, Vento A. The clinical challenges of synthetic cathinones. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2020; 86:410-419. [PMID: 31674690 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Within the new psychoactive substances (NPS) scenario, several hundred different molecules, mostly including synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones, have been identified so far. The aims of the paper were to: (i) identify the number of synthetic cathinones mentioned in a range of psychonaut, NPS-related, online sources; and (ii) describe the associated acute/long term clinical scenario and the related treatment/management plan. METHODS After about 18 months of operation and exclusion of false positives/duplicates, some 4204 unique NPS molecules were included in the NPSfinder® crawling/navigating software database. Most popular NPS included: 1265 psychedelic phenethylamines (30.1%; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 28.7-31.5%); 1253 synthetic cannabinoids (29.8%; CI 95%: 28.4-31.2%); 429 synthetic opioids (10.2%; CI 95%: 9.3-10.2%); and 171 synthetic cathinones (4.1%; CI 95% 3.5-4.7%). Conversely, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction databases respectively included 169 and 140 cathinones. Overall, the 3 databases reported some 222 synthetic cathinones, and 41 were uniquely identified by the NPSfinder®. RESULTS In terms of clinical scenarios, synthetic cathinone ingestion is initially associated with stimulant effects; however, psychopathological disturbances, violence, suicidal behaviour, hyperthermia, coma and death have also been described. CONCLUSION The proportion of cathinones commented on by psychonaut fora appeared to be relatively small, and similar to those reported by both the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. This may be associated with a recent significant decline in both cathinone-related consumption and acute medical presentation. Due to their complex behavioural and medical toxicity issues, healthcare professionals should be, however, be educated to recognise the signs and symptoms of NPS, including synthetic cathinone, ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Flavia Napoletano
- East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Homerton University Hospital, London, UK
| | - Davide Arillotta
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Caroline Zangani
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Liam Gilgar
- Gabalfa Clinic, Cardiff and Vale NHS Health Board, Cardiff, UK
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Swansea University Medical School; Institute of Life Sciences; Swansea, UK
| | - John Martin Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Alessandro Vento
- Addictions' Observatory (ODDPSS), Rome, Italy.,Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 2, Rome, Italy
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16
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Ameline A, Garnier D, Raul JS, Kintz P. Use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify unknown powders. TOXICOLOGIE ANALYTIQUE ET CLINIQUE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxac.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Shevyrin V, Eltsov O, Shafran Y. Identification and analytical characterization of the synthetic cathinone N-butylhexedrone. Drug Test Anal 2019; 12:159-163. [PMID: 31667946 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Shevyrin
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Institute of Chemical Engineering, 19 Mira Str, 620002, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Oleg Eltsov
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Institute of Chemical Engineering, 19 Mira Str, 620002, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri Shafran
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Institute of Chemical Engineering, 19 Mira Str, 620002, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
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18
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Kranenburg RF, García-Cicourel AR, Kukurin C, Janssen HG, Schoenmakers PJ, van Asten AC. Distinguishing drug isomers in the forensic laboratory: GC-VUV in addition to GC-MS for orthogonal selectivity and the use of library match scores as a new source of information. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 302:109900. [PMID: 31382222 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Currently, forensic drug experts are facing chemical identification challenges with the increasing number of new isomeric forms of psychoactive substances occurring in case samples. Very similar mass spectra for these substances could easily result in misidentification using the regular GC-MS screening methods in combination with colorimetric testing in forensic laboratories. Building on recent work from other groups, this study demonstrates that GC-VUV is a powerful technique for drug isomer differentiation, showing reproducible and discriminating spectra for aromatic ring-isomers. MS and VUV show complementary selectivity as VUV spectra are ring-position specific whereas MS spectra are characteristic for the amine moieties of the molecule. VUV spectra are very reproducible showing less than 0.1‰ deviation in library match scores and therefore small spectral differences suffice to confidently distinguish isomers. In comparison, MS match scores gave over 10‰ deviation and showed significant overlap in match score ranges for several isomers. This poses a risk for false positive identifications when assigning compounds based on retention time and GC-MS mass spectrum. A strategy was developed, based on Kernel Density Estimations of match scores, to construct Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and estimate likelihood ratios (LR values) with respect to the chemical differentiation of drug related isomers. This approach, and the added value of GC-VUV is demonstrated with the chemical analysis of several samples from drug case work from the Amsterdam area involving both compounds listed in Dutch drug legislation (3,4-MDMA; 3,4-MDA; 4-MMC; 4-MEC and 4-FA) as well as their unlisted and thus uncontrolled isomers (2,3-MDMA; 2,3-MDA; 2- and 3-MMC; 2- and 3-MEC and 2- and 3-FA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben F Kranenburg
- Dutch National Police, Unit Amsterdam, Forensic Laboratory, Kabelweg 25, Amsterdam 1014 BA, Netherlands; Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands.
| | - Alan R García-Cicourel
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
| | - Corina Kukurin
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
| | - Hans-Gerd Janssen
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands; Unilever Research and Development, P.O. Box 114, Vlaardingen 3130 AC, Netherlands
| | - Peter J Schoenmakers
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
| | - Arian C van Asten
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands; Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center (CLHC), Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Postbus 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, Netherlands
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19
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Identification and analytical characterization of seven NPS, by combination of 1H NMR spectroscopy, GC–MS and UPLC–MS/MS®, to resolve a complex toxicological fatal case. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 298:140-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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