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Nytka M, Wan J, Tureček F, Lemr K. Cyclic Ion Mobility of Isomeric New Psychoactive Substances Employing Characteristic Arrival Time Distribution Profiles and Adduct Separation. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:1733-1742. [PMID: 38949154 PMCID: PMC11311522 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS), which is essential for toxicological and forensic reasons, can be made complicated by the presence of isomers. Ion mobility has been used as a standalone technique or coupled to mass spectrometry to detect and identify NPS. However, isomer separation has so far chiefly relied on chromatography. Here we report on the determination of isomeric ratios using cyclic ion mobility-mass spectrometry without any chromatographic separation. Isomers were distinguished by mobility separation of lithium adducts. Alternatively, we used arrival time distribution (ATD) profiles that were characteristic of individual isomers and were acquired for protonated molecules or fragment ions. Both approaches provided comparable results. Calculations were used to determine the structures and collision cross sections of both protonated and lithiated isomers that accurately characterized their ion mobility properties. The applicability of ATD profiles to isomer differentiation was demonstrated using direct infusion and flow injection analysis with electrospray of solutions, as well as desorption electrospray of solid samples. Data processing was performed by applying multiple linear regression to the ATD profiles. Using the proposed ATD profile-based approach, the relationships between the determined and given content of isomers showed good linearity with coefficients of determination typically greater than 0.99. Flow injection analysis using an autosampler allowed us to rapidly determine isomeric ratios in a sample containing two isomeric pairs with a minor isomer of 10% (determined 9.3% of 3-MMC and 11.0% of 3-FMC in a mixture with buphedrone and 4-FMC). The proposed approach is not only useful for NPS, but also may be applicable to small isomeric molecules analyzed by ion mobility when complete separation of isomers is not achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Nytka
- Department
of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, 17. Listopadu 12, 77146 Olomouc, Czech
Republic
| | - Jiahao Wan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United
States
| | - František Tureček
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, United
States
| | - Karel Lemr
- Department
of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, 17. Listopadu 12, 77146 Olomouc, Czech
Republic
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2
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Pang B, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Liu ZF, Liu XJ, Feng XS. Recent Update on Pretreatment and Analysis Methods of Buprenorphine in Different Matrix. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2024; 54:1243-1272. [PMID: 35979823 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2022.2111196] [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] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Buprenorphine is one of the most commonly used pain-killing drugs due to its lengthy duration of action and high potency. However, excessive usage of buprenorphine can be harmful to one's health and prolonged use might result in addiction. Additionally, an increasing number of cases have been documented involving the illegal use of buprenorphine. Therefore, a variety of effective and reliable methods for pretreatment and determination of buprenorphine and its main metabolite norbuprenorphine have been established. This review aims to update the current state of pretreatment and detection techniques for buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine from January 2010 to March 2022. Pretreatment methods include several traditional extraction methods, solid-phase extraction, QuECHERS, various micro-extraction techniques, etc. while analytical methods include LC-MS, LC coupled with other detectors, GC-MS, capillary electrophoresis, electrochemical sensors, etc. The pros and cons of various techniques were compared and summarized, and the prospects were provided.HIGHLIGHTSProgress in pretreatment and detection methods for buprenorphine is demonstrated.Pros and cons of different pretreatment and analysis methods are compared.New materials (such as nanomaterials and magnetic materials) used in buprenorphine pretreatment are summarized.Newly emerged environmental-friendly methods are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pang
- The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Fei Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Liu
- The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xue-Song Feng
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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3
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Chiappini S, Vaccaro G, Mosca A, Miuli A, Stigliano G, Stefanelli G, Giovannetti G, Carullo R, d'Andrea G, Di Carlo F, Cavallotto C, Pettorruso M, Di Petta G, Corkery JM, Guirguis A, Stair JL, Martinotti G, Fazel S, Schifano F. New trends of drug abuse in custodial settings: A systematic review on the misuse of over-the-counter drugs, prescription-only-medications, and new psychoactive substances. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105691. [PMID: 38733894 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105691] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The article presents a systematic literature review on the use and the psychiatric implications of over-the-counter drugs (OTC), prescription-only-medications (POM), and new psychoactive substances (NPS) within custodial settings. The searches wer carried out on 2 November 2022 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in line with PRISMA guidelines. A total of 538 records were identified, of which 37 met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed the most prevalent NPS and OTC and POM classes reported in prisons were synthetic cannabinoids receptor agonists (SCRAs) and opioids, respectively. NPS markets were shown to be in constant evolution following the pace of legislations aimed to reduce their spread. The use of such substances heavily impacts the conditions and rehabilitation of persons in custody, with consequent physical and mental health risks. It is important to raise awareness of the use and misuse of such substances in prisons (i) from an early warning perspective for law enforcement and policy makers (ii) to prompt doctors to cautiously prescribe substances that may be misused (iii) to improve and increase access to treatment provided (iv) to add such substances to routine toxicological screening procedures (v) to improve harm reduction programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Chiappini
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Giorgia Vaccaro
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK
| | - Alessio Mosca
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy.
| | - Andrea Miuli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Stigliano
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Giulia Stefanelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Giulia Giovannetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Rosalba Carullo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Giacomo d'Andrea
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Carlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Clara Cavallotto
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Gilberto Di Petta
- Department of Neuroscience Department of Mental Health, ASL Napoli 2, Napoli, Nord, Italy
| | - John Martin Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Swansea University Medical School, Grove Building, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales SA28PP, UK
| | - Jacqueline L Stair
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, England
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK
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4
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Sparkes E, Timmerman A, Markham JW, Boyd R, Gordon R, Walker KA, Kevin RC, Hibbs DE, Banister SD, Cairns EA, Stove C, Ametovski A. Synthesis and Functional Evaluation of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Related to ADB-HEXINACA. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1787-1812. [PMID: 38597712 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00818] [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] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
ADB-HEXINACA has been recently reported as a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA), one of the largest classes of new psychoactive substances (NPSs). This compound marks the entry of the n-hexyl tail group into the SCRA landscape, which has continued in the market with recent, newly detected SCRAs. As such, a proactive characterization campaign was undertaken, including the synthesis, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of ADB-HEXINACA and a library of 41 closely related analogues. Two in vitro functional assays were employed to assess activity at CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, measuring Gβγ-coupled agonism through a fluorescence-based membrane potential assay (MPA) and β-arrestin 2 (βarr2) recruitment via a live cell-based nanoluciferase complementation reporter assay. ADB-HEXINACA was a potent and efficacious CB1 agonist (CB1 MPA pEC50 = 7.87 ± 0.12 M; Emax = 124 ± 5%; βarr2 pEC50 = 8.27 ± 0.14 M; Emax = 793 ± 42.5), as were most compounds assessed. Isolation of the heterocyclic core and alkyl tails allowed for the comprehensive characterization of structure-activity relationships in this compound class, which were rationalized in silico via induced fit docking experiments. Overall, most compounds assessed are possibly emerging NPSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Sparkes
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Axelle Timmerman
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jack W Markham
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Rochelle Boyd
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Rebecca Gordon
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Katelyn A Walker
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Richard C Kevin
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - David E Hibbs
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Samuel D Banister
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Cairns
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adam Ametovski
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
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5
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Akca AA, Couchman L, Frinculescu A, Johnston A. Analysis of drug-impregnated paper samples seized in English prisons between 2018 and 2020. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 357:111991. [PMID: 38513529 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111991] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the form of impregnated papers delivered to prisoners are of particular concern in prison settings, where they are commonly used by vaping. The purpose of this study was to create a qualitative method for identifying the various emerging NPS impregnated onto paper samples sent to prisoners. It helps to demonstrate that these findings can be used to predict drug prevalence and trends in prisons. Between 2018 and 2020, 1250 non-judicial paper samples seized from 12 English prisons were analysed to determine the NPSs being circulated. Approximately 1 cm2 paper were cut and added to 50 % (v/v) methanol in LCMS-grade water. Vortex-mixing was used to prepare extracts (30 min). Q-TOF LC/MS was used to screen the extracts. This study showed that synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) was the most common drug group detected in impregnated paper seizures in English prisons between 2018 and 2020, followed by cocaine, heroin type drugs (A) and amphetamine, ketamine type drugs (B). Male prisons had a higher prevalence of SCRAs, whereas female prisons had a higher prevalence of A drugs. Furthermore, lower security prisons were found to have a higher prevalence of B drugs, pregabalin, gabapentin type drugs (C), and abused and prescription drugs than higher security prisons which unveiled a higher prevalence of nicotine. The findings of this study have revealed new information about drug use in prisons. This study will also aid in the identification of drug smuggling routes into jails, keeping prison staff up to date with the trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asena Avci Akca
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkiye; Institute of Forensic Sciences, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkiye; Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Lewis Couchman
- Analytical Services International Ltd, St. George's University of London, London, UK; Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Anca Frinculescu
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; TICTAC Communications Ltd., St. George's University of London, London, UK.
| | - Atholl Johnston
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Analytical Services International Ltd, St. George's University of London, London, UK.
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6
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Aderorho R, Lucas SW, Chouinard CD. Separation and Characterization of Synthetic Cannabinoid Metabolite Isomers Using SLIM High-Resolution Ion Mobility-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HRIM-MS/MS). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:582-589. [PMID: 38361441 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids, a subclass of new psychoactive substances (NPS), are laboratory-made substances that are chemically similar to those found naturally in the cannabis plant. Many of these substances are illicitly manufactured and have been associated with severe health problems, prompting a need to develop analytical methods capable of characterizing both known and previously undetected compounds. This work focuses on a novel Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) IM-MS approach to the differentiation and structural characterization of synthetic cannabinoid metabolites, specifically MDA-19/BUTINACA, JWH-018, and JWH-250 isomer groups. These different compound classes are structurally very similar, differing only in the position of one or a few functional groups; this yielded similarity in measured collision cross section (CCS) values. However, the high resolution of SLIM IM provided adequate separation of many of these isomers, such as sodiated JWH-250 metabolites N-4-OH, N-5-OH, and 5-OH, which displayed CCS of 187.5, 182.5, and 202.3 Å2, respectively. In challenging cases where baseline separation was precluded due to nearly identical CCS, such as for JWH-018 isomers, simple derivatization by dansyl chloride selectively reacted with the 6-OH compound to provide differentiation of all isomers using a combination of CCS and m/z. Finally, the opportunity to use this method for structural elucidation of unknowns was demonstrated by using SLIM IM mobility-aligned MS/MS fragmentation. Different MDA-19/BUTINACA isomers were first mobility separated and could then be individually activated, yielding unique fragments for both targeted identification and structural determination. Overall, the described SLIM IM-MS/MS workflow provides significant potential as a rapid screening tool for the characterization of emerging NPS such as synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Aderorho
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Shadrack Wilson Lucas
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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7
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Cozier G, Andrews RC, Frinculescu A, Kumar R, May B, Tooth T, Collins P, Costello A, Haines TSF, Freeman TP, Blagbrough IS, Scott J, Shine T, Sutcliffe OB, Husbands SM, Leach J, Bowman RW, Pudney CR. Instant Detection of Synthetic Cannabinoids on Physical Matrices, Implemented on a Low-Cost, Ultraportable Device. Anal Chem 2023; 95:13829-13837. [PMID: 37642957 PMCID: PMC10515102 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) make up a class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), used predominantly in prisons and homeless communities in the U.K. SCs can have severe side effects, including psychosis, stroke, and seizures, with numerous reported deaths associated with their use. The chemical diversity of SCs presents the major challenge to their detection since approaches relying on specific molecular recognition become outdated almost immediately. Ideally one would have a generic approach to detecting SCs in portable settings. The problem of SC detection is more challenging still because the majority of SCs enter the prison estate adsorbed onto physical matrices such as paper, fabric, or herb materials. That is, regardless of the detection modality used, the necessary extraction step reduces the effectiveness and ability to rapidly screen materials on-site. Herein, we demonstrate a truly instant generic test for SCs, tested against real-world drug seizures. The test is based on two advances. First, we identify a spectrally silent region in the emission spectrum of most physical matrices. Second, the finding that background signals (including from autofluorescence) can be accurately predicted is based on tracking the fraction of absorbed light from the irradiation source. Finally, we demonstrate that the intrinsic fluorescence of a large range of physical substrates can be leveraged to track the presence of other drugs of interest, including the most recent iterations of benzodiazepines and opioids. We demonstrate the implementation of our presumptive test in a portable, pocket-sized device that will find immediate utility in prisons and law enforcement agencies around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyles
E. Cozier
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Rachael C. Andrews
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Anca Frinculescu
- Department
of Analytical, Environmental and Forensic Sciences, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K.
- TICTAC
Communications Ltd., Room 1.159 Jenner Wing, St. George’s University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, U.K.
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Benedict May
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Tom Tooth
- HMP
Bristol, 19 Cambridge
Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8PS, U.K.
| | - Peter Collins
- Avon
and Somerset Police, Valley Road, Bristol BS20
8JJ, U.K.
| | - Andrew Costello
- MANchester
DRug Analysis & Knowledge Exchange (MANDRAKE), Department of Natural
Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, U.K
- Greater
Manchester Police, Openshaw Complex, Lawton Street,
Openshaw, Manchester M11 2NS, U.K.
| | - Tom S. F. Haines
- Department of Computer Science and Department of
Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Tom P. Freeman
- Department of Computer Science and Department of
Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Ian S. Blagbrough
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Jennifer Scott
- Centre
for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical
School, Bristol BS8 2PN, U.K.
| | - Trevor Shine
- TICTAC
Communications Ltd., Room 1.159 Jenner Wing, St. George’s University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, U.K.
| | - Oliver B. Sutcliffe
- MANchester
DRug Analysis & Knowledge Exchange (MANDRAKE), Department of Natural
Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, U.K
| | - Stephen M. Husbands
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
| | - Jonathan Leach
- Institute
of Chemical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, U.K.
| | - Richard W. Bowman
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Christopher R. Pudney
- Department
of Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, and Centre for Sustainable and Circular
Technologies, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
- Centre
for Therapeutic Innovation, University of
Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
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8
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Norman C, Marland V, McKenzie C, Ménard H, Nic Daéid N. Evaluation of fentanyl immunoassay test strips for rapid in-situ detection of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in seized samples and alternative matrices. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 118:104102. [PMID: 37343365 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ion mobility spectrometry is used for the rapid detection of drugs at points of security but are unable to differentiate some drugs leading to the instrument alarming for a drug not present in the sample. This can be particularly problematic for samples that alarm for fentanyl. In this study, fentanyl immunoassay strips were evaluated for use as a secondary test for fentanyl, including for the testing of alternative matrices, such as powders, e-liquids, and infused papers and textiles. METHODS The limit of detection of fentanyl immunoassay strips was examined along with their selectivity to 18 fentanyl analogsand 72 other drugs and cutting agents. The effectiveness of the test strips at the detection of fentanyl in the presence of other drugs was examined by testing a series of concentrations of fentanyl in solution in combination with other drugs. The testing of alternative matrices was explored with laboratory prepared samples through sampling with cotton buds and extraction in water. RESULTS The fentanyl immunoassay strips detected fentanyl at concentrations of 45 ng/mL and reacted with 16 of 18 tested fentanyl analogs with carfentanil and norfentanyl being the only analogs to not react. There was no reactivity with other drugs or cutting agents. The effectiveness of the fentanyl test strips was not reduced when fentanyl was mixed with other drugs. Fentanyl was successfully detected with high sensitivity in all alternative matrices. CONCLUSION The fentanyl immunoassay strips were found to be an effective secondary test for fentanyl and at least 16 fentanyl analogs in seized drug samples, including when mixed with other drugs. The effectiveness of the sampling methods for alternative matrices should be further evaluated using fentanyl and fentanyl analog casework samples. The use of this method by law enforcement and other agencies should be examined to assess its effectiveness and ease of use in operational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Norman
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Victoria Marland
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Chiron AS, Stiklestadveien 1, 7041 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hervé Ménard
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Niamh Nic Daéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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9
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Marchetti B, Bilel S, Tirri M, Corli G, Roda E, Locatelli CA, Cavarretta E, De-Giorgio F, Marti M. Acute Cardiovascular and Cardiorespiratory Effects of JWH-018 in Awake and Freely Moving Mice: Mechanism of Action and Possible Antidotal Interventions? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7515. [PMID: 37108687 PMCID: PMC10142259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
JWH-018 is the most known compound among synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) used for their psychoactive effects. SCs-based products are responsible for several intoxications in humans. Cardiac toxicity is among the main side effects observed in emergency departments: SCs intake induces harmful effects such as hypertension, tachycardia, chest pain, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, breathing impairment, and dyspnea. This study aims to investigate how cardio-respiratory and vascular JWH-018 (6 mg/kg) responses can be modulated by antidotes already in clinical use. The tested antidotes are amiodarone (5 mg/kg), atropine (5 mg/kg), nifedipine (1 mg/kg), and propranolol (2 mg/kg). The detection of heart rate, breath rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and pulse distention are provided by a non-invasive apparatus (Mouse Ox Plus) in awake and freely moving CD-1 male mice. Tachyarrhythmia events are also evaluated. Results show that while all tested antidotes reduce tachycardia and tachyarrhythmic events and improve breathing functions, only atropine completely reverts the heart rate and pulse distension. These data may suggest that cardiorespiratory mechanisms of JWH-018-induced tachyarrhythmia involve sympathetic, cholinergic, and ion channel modulation. Current findings also provide valuable impetus to identify potential antidotal intervention to support physicians in the treatment of intoxicated patients in emergency clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Marchetti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Giorgia Corli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Elisa Roda
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.R.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Carlo Alessandro Locatelli
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.R.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Elena Cavarretta
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy;
- Mediterrranea Cardiocentro, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioetics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (B.M.); (S.B.); (M.T.); (G.C.)
- Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Department of Anti-Drug Policies, 00186 Rome, Italy
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10
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Abbott MJ, Dunnett J, Wheeler J, Davidson A. The identification of synthetic cannabinoids in English prisons. Forensic Sci Int 2023:111613. [PMID: 36922254 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are extremely prevalent within the prison system and cause problems for prisoners, law enforcement and health services. SC are often soaked into paper then posted into prisons therefore one of the aims of this research is to collaborate with Rapiscan Systems Ltd. and local prisons in England to measure the effectiveness of trace detection methods for the indication of SC in prison post using the Itemiser 3E®. To ensure compounds did not go undetected, samples with Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometry™ peaks indicative of synthetic cannabinoids on the Itemiser 3E® were analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to identify chemical characteristics which allowed comparison to reference spectra. Sample data spanning three years from one prison's Itemiser 3E® were collated to identify trends in drug prevalence and the influence of library updates. To date, the method has identified four compounds: 5F-MDMB-PICA, MMB-4en-PICA, 4F-MDMB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA on prison post which were not already included on, or needed confirmatory analysis to update, the Itemiser 3E® library. As a result, the libraries on prison Itemiser 3E®s have been updated to ensure future detection of such compounds. Trends and influences from the processed Itemiser 3E® data were also reported back to the West Midlands Prison Group. This research directly benefitted both the West Midlands Prison Group and Rapiscan Systems Ltd. and it is anticipated that the continuation of this research could be expanded to a national scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Jane Abbott
- Staffordshire University, Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, United Kingdom.
| | - Jodie Dunnett
- Staffordshire University, Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, United Kingdom
| | - John Wheeler
- Staffordshire University, Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Davidson
- Staffordshire University, Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, United Kingdom
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11
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Deventer MH, Norman C, Reid R, McKenzie C, Nic Daéid N, Stove CP. In vitro characterization of the pyrazole-carrying synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist 5F-3,5-AB-PFUPPYCA and its structural analogs. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 343:111565. [PMID: 36640535 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) market is undergoing important changes since the enactment of the 2021 class-wide generic SCRA ban in China, one of the most important source countries for new psychoactive substances (NPS). Recently, various compounds with new structural features, synthesized to bypass this legislation, have entered the recreational drug market. Certain monocyclic pyrazole-carrying "FUPPYCA" SCRAs have been sporadically detected since 2015 without gaining further popularity. However, as evidenced by their recent detection in Scottish prisons, 5F-3,5-AB-PFUPPYCA and 3,5-ADB-4en-PFUPPYCA have re-emerged, potentially triggered by the new legislative ban. The aim of this study was to characterize the in vitro intrinsic CB1 and CB2 receptor activation potential of 5F-3,5-AB-PFUPPYCA and 3,5-ADB-4en-PFUPPYCA, as well as 4 analogs (5F-3,5-ADB-PFUPPYCA, 3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA, 5,3-AB-CHMFUPPYCA and 5,3-ADB-4en-PFUPPYCA) using live cell β-arrestin 2 recruitment assays. Most analogs were essentially inactive at either CB1 or CB2, with only 3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA, 5,3-AB-CHMFUPPYCA and 5,3-ADB-4en-PFUPPYCA showing a limited activation potential at CB1. Furthermore, the importance of the position of the tail structure was demonstrated, with 5,3 regioisomers being more active than their 3,5 analogs. Moreover, all compounds exhibited antagonistic behavior at both receptors, which may be associated with their structural resemblance to cannabinoid antagonists and inverse agonists. Although the 3,5 regioisomers of these "FUPPYCA" SCRAs circumvent the Chinese ban, it is unlikely that these SCRAs will pose a major threat to public health, given the lack of pronounced CB receptor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie H Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caitlyn Norman
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Robert Reid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK; Chiron AS, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Niamh Nic Daéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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12
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Giorgetti A, Brunetti P, Pelotti S, Auwärter V. Detection of AP-237 and synthetic cannabinoids on an infused letter sent to a German prisoner. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1779-1784. [PMID: 35918775 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In the past years, new psychoactive substances (NPS) started circulating in prisons, leading to health risks and challenges for the criminal justice system. Seizures of papers and cards impregnated with synthetic cannabinoid (SCs) have been reported. In November 2021, a letter suspected to be drug-infused was sent from a German prison to this laboratory. Toxicological analyses were performed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for drug screening and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as well as high-performance (HP) LC with diode-array detection (DAD) for semi-quantification of the compounds. The novel synthetic opioid (NSO) AP-237 was detected on the letter, with an estimated concentration of 1.2 μg/cm2 , together with the SCs MDMB-4en-PINACA (77 μg/cm2 ) and 5F-ADB (6.5 μg/cm2 ). To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time an NSO was detected on a drug-infused paper seized in a prison. Highly potent NSOs could easily be dissolved in organic solvents to produce impregnated papers and textiles, and this might represent a serious threat to the health of people in prison. Given the inhomogeneity in drug concentrations, health risks might in particular arise from the consumption of highly concentrated areas of the paper-so-called "hot spots"-especially when highly potent NSOs are used for infusion. Laboratories engaged in analyzing such impregnated papers should be aware of the potential presence of NSOs and adapt the respective methods accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Pietro Brunetti
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Unit of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Susi Pelotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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13
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Sparkes E, Boyd R, Chen S, Markham JW, Luo JL, Foyzun T, Zaman H, Fletcher C, Ellison R, McGregor IS, Santiago MJ, Lai F, Gerona RR, Connor M, Hibbs DE, Cairns EA, Glass M, Ametovski A, Banister SD. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of newly detected synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists AB-4CN-BUTICA, MMB-4CN-BUTINACA, MDMB-4F-BUTICA, MDMB-4F-BUTINACA and their analogs. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1010501. [PMID: 36245876 PMCID: PMC9558907 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1010501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) continue to make up a significant portion new psychoactive substances (NPS) detected and seized worldwide. Due to their often potent activation of central cannabinoid receptors in vivo, use of SCRAs can result in severe intoxication, in addition to other adverse health effects. Recent detections of AB-4CN-BUTICA, MMB-4CN-BUTINACA, MDMB-4F-BUTICA and MDMB-4F-BUTINACA mark a continuation in the appearance of SCRAs bearing novel tail substituents. The proactive characterization campaign described here has facilitated the detection of several new SCRAs in toxicological case work. Here we detail the synthesis, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of recently detected SCRAs, as well as a systematic library of 32 compounds bearing head, tail, and core group combinations likely to appear in future. In vitro radioligand binding assays revealed most compounds showed moderate to high affinity at both CB1 (pK i = < 5 to 8.89 ± 0.09 M) and CB2 (pK i = 5.49 ± 0.03 to 9.92 ± 0.09 M) receptors. In vitro functional evaluation using a fluorescence-based membrane potential assay showed that most compounds were sub-micromolar to sub-nanomolar agonists at CB1 (pEC50 = < 5 to 9.48 ± 0.14 M) and CB2 (pEC50 = 5.92 ± 0.16 to 8.64 ± 0.15 M) receptors. An in silico receptor-ligand docking approach was utilized to rationalize binding trends for CB2 with respect to the tail substituent, and indicated that rigidity in this region (i.e., 4-cyanobutyl) was detrimental to affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Sparkes
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rochelle Boyd
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shuli Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jack W. Markham
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jia Lin Luo
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tahira Foyzun
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Humayra Zaman
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Charlotte Fletcher
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ross Ellison
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Iain S. McGregor
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Felcia Lai
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roy R. Gerona
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mark Connor
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David E. Hibbs
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Cairns
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Glass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Adam Ametovski
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samuel D. Banister
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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14
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Vaccaro G, Massariol A, Guirguis A, Kirton SB, Stair JL. NPS detection in prison: A systematic literature review of use, drug form, and analytical approaches. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1350-1367. [PMID: 35355411 PMCID: PMC9545023 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a systematic literature review on the detection of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in prison settings. It includes the most frequently reported NPS classes, the routes and forms used for smuggling, and the methods employed to analyse biological and non-biological samples. The search was carried out using MEDLINE (EBSCO), Scopus (ELSEVIER), PubMed (NCBI), and Web of Science (Clarivate) databases, along with reports from the grey literature in line with the PRISMA-S guidelines. A total of 2708 records were identified, of which 50 met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed the most prevalent NPS class reported in prison was synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). The most frequently reported SCs in non-biological samples were 4F-MDMB-BINACA, MDMB-4en-PINACA, and 5F-ADB. These were smuggled mainly through the postal services deposited on paper or herbal matrices. Concentrations of SCs detected on seized paper ranged between 0.05 and 1.17 mg/cm2 . The SCs most frequently reported in biological specimens (i.e., urine, blood, saliva, and wastewater) were 5F-MDMB-PICA, 4F-MDMB-BINACA, and MDMB-4en-PINACA. Concentrations of SCs reported in femoral blood and serum were 0.12-0.48 ng/ml and 34-17 ng/ml, respectively. Hyphenated techniques were predominantly employed and generally successful for the detection of NPS in biological (i.e., LC-HRMS/MS) and non-biological samples (i.e., LC-HRMS/MS and GC-MS). The onsite technique IMS showed promise for detecting SCs in various forms; however, immunoassays were not recommended. Future work should focus on accurate in-field detection of SCs deposited on paper and in urine and saliva to improve real-time decision-making, as well as wastewater and air monitoring for overall drug use trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Vaccaro
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical SciencesUniversity of HertfordshireHatfieldUK
| | - Anna Massariol
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical SciencesUniversity of HertfordshireHatfieldUK
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical SciencesUniversity of HertfordshireHatfieldUK
- Swansea University Medical School, The Grove, Singleton CampusSwanseaUK
| | - Stewart B. Kirton
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical SciencesUniversity of HertfordshireHatfieldUK
| | - Jacqueline L. Stair
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical SciencesUniversity of HertfordshireHatfieldUK
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15
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Kronstrand R, Norman C, Vikingsson S, Biemans A, Valencia Crespo B, Edwards D, Fletcher D, Gilbert N, Persson M, Reid R, Semenova O, Al Teneiji F, Wu X, Dahlén J, NicDaéid N, Tarbah F, Sutcliffe OB, McKenzie C, Gréen H. The metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoids ADB-BUTINACA and ADB-4en-PINACA and their detection in forensic toxicology casework and infused papers seized in prisons. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:634-652. [PMID: 34811926 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Early warning systems detect new psychoactive substances (NPS), while dedicated monitoring programs and routine drug and toxicology testing identify fluctuations in prevalence. We report the increasing prevalence of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) ADB-BUTINACA (N-[1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-butyl-1H-indazole-3-carbox-amide). ADB-BUTINACA was first detected in a seizure in Sweden in 2019, and we report its detection in 13 routine Swedish forensic toxicology cases soon after. In January 2021, ADB-BUTINACA was detected in SCRA-infused papers seized in Scottish prisons and has rapidly increased in prevalence, being detected in 60.4% of the SCRA-infused papers tested between January and July 2021. In this work, ADB-BUTINACA was incubated with human hepatocytes (HHeps), and 21 metabolites were identified in vitro, 14 being detected in authentic case samples. The parent drug and metabolites B9 (mono-hydroxylation on the n-butyl tail) and B16 (mono-hydroxylation on the indazole ring) are recommended biomarkers in blood, while metabolites B4 (dihydrodiol formation on the indazole core), B9, and B16 are suitable biomarkers in urine. ADB-4en-PINACA (N-[1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-[pent-4-en-1-yl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide) was detected in Scottish prisons in December 2020, but, unlike ADB-BUTINACA, prevalence has remained low. ADB-4en-PINACA was incubated with HHeps, and 11 metabolites were identified. Metabolites E3 (dihydrodiol formed in the tail moiety) and E7 (hydroxylation on the linked/head group) are the most abundant metabolites in vitro and are suggested as urinary biomarkers. The in vitro potencies of ADB-BUTINACA (EC50 , 11.5 nM and ADB-4en-PINACA (EC50 , 11.6 nM) are similar to that of MDMB-4en-PINACA (EC50 , 4.3 nM). A third tert-leucinamide SCRA, ADB-HEXINACA was also detected in prison samples and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kronstrand
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Caitlyn Norman
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Svante Vikingsson
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,RTI International, Research Triangle, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anoek Biemans
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Bryan Valencia Crespo
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Darren Edwards
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Daniel Fletcher
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.,BioAscent, Motherwell, UK
| | - Nicolas Gilbert
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Mattias Persson
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Robert Reid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Olga Semenova
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Faisal Al Teneiji
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.,General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Toxicology Department, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Xiongyu Wu
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johan Dahlén
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Niamh NicDaéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Fuad Tarbah
- General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Toxicology Department, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Oliver B Sutcliffe
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Craig McKenzie
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.,Chiron AS, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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16
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Ametovski A, Cairns EA, Grafinger KE, Cannaert A, Deventer MH, Chen S, Wu X, Shepperson CE, Lai F, Ellison R, Gerona R, Blakey K, Kevin R, McGregor IS, Hibbs DE, Glass M, Stove C, Auwärter V, Banister SD. NNL-3: A Synthetic Intermediate or a New Class of Hydroxybenzotriazole Esters with Cannabinoid Receptor Activity? ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:4020-4036. [PMID: 34676751 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) remain a prolific class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and continue to expand rapidly. Despite the recent identification of hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) containing SCRAs in synthetic cannabis samples, there is currently no information regarding the pharmacological profile of these NPS with respect to human CB1 and CB2 receptors. In the current study, a series consisting of seven HOBt indole-, indazole-, and 7-azaindole-carboxylates bearing a range of N-alkyl substituents were synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. Competitive binding assays at CB1 and CB2 demonstrated that all analogues except a 2-methyl-substituted derivative had low affinity for CB1 (Ki = 3.80-43.7 μM) and CB2 (Ki = 2.75-18.2 μM). A fluorometric functional assay revealed that 2-methylindole- and indole-derived HOBt carboxylates were potent and efficacious agonists of CB1 (EC50 = 12.0 and 63.7 nM; Emax = 118 and 120%) and CB2 (EC50 = 10.9 and 321 nM; Emax = 91 and 126%). All other analogues incorporating indazole and 7-azaindole cores and bearing a range of N1-substituents showed relatively low potency for CB1 and CB2. Additionally, a reporter assay monitoring β-arrestin 2 (βarr2) recruitment to the receptor revealed that the 2-methylindole example was the most potent and efficacious at CB1 (EC50 = 131 nM; Emax = 724%) and the most potent at CB2 (EC50 = 38.2 nM; Emax = 51%). As with the membrane potential assay, the indazole and other indole HOBt carboxylates were considerably less potent at both receptors, and analogues comprising a 7-azaindole core showed little activity. Taken together, these data suggest that NNL-3 demonstrates little CB1 receptor activity and is unlikely to be psychoactive in humans. NNL-3 is likely an unintended SCRA manufacturing byproduct. However, the synthesis of NNL-3 analogues proved simple and general, and some of these showed potent cannabimetic profiles in vitro, indicating that HOBt esters of this type may represent an emerging class of SCRA NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ametovski
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Cairns
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marie H. Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Shuli Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Xinyi Wu
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Caitlin E. Shepperson
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Felcia Lai
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Ross Ellison
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Roy Gerona
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Karen Blakey
- Illicit Drug Group, Forensic Chemistry, QHFSS, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Brisbane, QLD 4108, Australia
| | - Richard Kevin
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Iain S. McGregor
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - David E. Hibbs
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Michelle Glass
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Samuel D. Banister
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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'Synthetic cannabis': A dangerous misnomer. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 98:103396. [PMID: 34343944 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The term 'synthetic cannabis' has been widely used in public discourse to refer to a group of cannabinoid receptor agonists. In this paper we detail the characteristics of these drugs, and present the case that the term is a misnomer. We describe the pharmacodynamics of these drugs, their epidemiology, mechanisms of action, physiological effects and how these differ substantially from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We argue that not only is the term a misnomer, but it is one with negative clinical and public health implications. Rather, the substances referred to as 'synthetic cannabis' in public discourse should instead be referred to consistently as synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), a drug class distinct from plant-derived cannabinoids. SCRAs have greater potency and efficacy, and psychostimulant-like properties. While such terminology may be used in the scientific community, it is not widely used amongst the media, general public, people who use these drugs or may potentially do so. A new terminology has the potential to reduce the confusion and harms that result from the misnomer 'synthetic cannabis'. The constant evolution of this distinct drug class necessitates a range of distinct policy responses relating to terminology, harm reduction, epidemiology, treatment, and legal status.
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18
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Cannaert A, Sparkes E, Pike E, Luo JL, Fang A, Kevin RC, Ellison R, Gerona R, Banister SD, Stove CP. Synthesis and in Vitro Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Activity of Recently Detected Synthetic Cannabinoids 4F-MDMB-BICA, 5F-MPP-PICA, MMB-4en-PICA, CUMYL-CBMICA, ADB-BINACA, APP-BINACA, 4F-MDMB-BINACA, MDMB-4en-PINACA, A-CHMINACA, 5F-AB-P7AICA, 5F-MDMB-P7AICA, and 5F-AP7AICA. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4434-4446. [PMID: 33253529 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are an evolving class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) with structurally diverse compounds emerging each year. Due to the rapid pace at which these drugs enter the market, there is often little or nil information regarding the pharmacology of these substances despite widespread human use. In this study, 12 recently emerged SCRAs (reported between 2018 and 2020) were synthesized, analytically characterized, and pharmacologically evaluated using a live cell-based nanoluciferase complementation reporter assay that monitors in vitro cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) activation via its interaction with β-arrestin 2 (βarr2). All synthesized SCRAs acted as agonists of CB1, although differences in potency (EC50 = 2.33-5475 nM) and efficacy (Emax = 37-378%) were noted, and several structure-activity relationships were identified. SCRAs featuring indazole cores (EC50 = 2.33-159 nM) were generally of equal or greater potency than indole analogues (EC50 = 32.9-330 nM) or 7-azaindole derivatives (EC50 = 64.0-5475 nM). Interestingly, with the exception of APP-BINACA (Emax = 75.7%) and 5F-A-P7AICA (Emax = 37.4%), all SCRAs showed greater efficacy than the historical SCRA JWH-018 to which responses were normalized (Emax = 142-378%). The most potent CB1 agonists in the study were ADB-BINACA (EC50 = 6.36 nM), 4F-MDMB-BINACA (EC50 = 7.39 nM), and MDMB-4en-PINACA (EC50 = 2.33 nM). Notably, all of these SCRAs featured an indazole core as well as a "bulky" tert-butyl moiety in the pendant amino acid side chain. This study confirms that recently detected SCRAs 4F-MDMB-BICA, 5F-MPP-PICA, MMB-4en-PICA, CUMYL-CBMICA, ADB-BINACA, APP-BINACA, 4F-MDMB-BINACA, MDMB-4en-PINACA, A-CHMINACA, 5F-AB-P7AICA, 5F-MDMB-P7AICA, and 5F-AP7AICA were all able to activate the CB1 receptor in vitro, albeit to different extents, and are potentially psychoactive in vivo. These results indicate that further evaluation of these widely used NPS is warranted to better understand the risks associated with human consumption of these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Eric Sparkes
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Edward Pike
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Lin Luo
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Ada Fang
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Richard C. Kevin
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Ross Ellison
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Roy Gerona
- Clinical Toxicology and Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Samuel D. Banister
- The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
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