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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: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [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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Ishii H, Yokoyama A, Saito K, Kataoka H. Synthesis and analytical differentiation of a novel synthetic cathinone 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)butan-1-one (5-PPDI) and its regioisomers. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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3
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Maghsoudi N, Tanguay J, Scarfone K, Rammohan I, Ziegler C, Werb D, Scheim AI. Drug checking services for people who use drugs: a systematic review. Addiction 2022; 117:532-544. [PMID: 34729849 PMCID: PMC9299873 DOI: 10.1111/add.15734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Drug checking services provide people who use drugs with chemical analysis results of their drug samples while simultaneously monitoring the unregulated drug market. We sought to identify and synthesize literature on the following domains: (a) the influence of drug checking services on the behaviour of people who use drugs; (b) monitoring of drug markets by drug checking services; and (c) outcomes related to models of drug checking services. METHODS Systematic review. A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and Dissertations and Theses Global. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed articles and conference abstracts or grey literature, published in any language since 1990 and including original data on the domains. We assessed risk of bias for quantitative peer-reviewed articles reporting on behaviour or models of drug checking services using National Institutes of Health tools. RESULTS We screened 2463 titles and abstracts and 156 full texts, with 90 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Most (n = 65, 72.2%) were from Europe and used cross-sectional designs (n = 79, 87.7%). Monitoring of drug markets by drug checking services (n = 63, 70%) was the most reported domain, followed by the influence of drug checking services on behaviour (n = 31, 34.4%), including intent to use, actual use and disposal of the drug, and outcomes related to models of drug checking services (n = 17, 18.9%). The most common outcome measures were detection of unexpected substances (n = 50, 55.6%), expected substances (n = 44, 48.9%), new psychoactive substances (n = 40, 44.4%) and drugs of concern (n = 32, 36.5%) by drug checking services. CONCLUSIONS Drug checking services appear to influence behavioural intentions and the behaviour of people who use drugs, particularly when results from drug checking services are unexpected or drugs of concern. Monitoring of drug markets by drug checking services is well established in Europe, and increasingly in North America. Concerns about drug contents and negative health consequences facilitate the use of drug checking services; lack of concern; trust in drug sellers; lack of accessibility of drug checking services; and legal and privacy concerns are barriers to use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazlee Maghsoudi
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge InstituteSt Michael's HospitalTorontoONCanada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and EvaluationUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Justine Tanguay
- Munk School of Global Affairs and Public PolicyUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Kristy Scarfone
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge InstituteSt Michael's HospitalTorontoONCanada,Leslie Dan Faculty of PharmacyUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Indhu Rammohan
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge InstituteSt Michael's HospitalTorontoONCanada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and EvaluationUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | | | - Dan Werb
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge InstituteSt Michael's HospitalTorontoONCanada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and EvaluationUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada,Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, School of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Ayden I. Scheim
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Li Ka Shing Knowledge InstituteSt Michael's HospitalTorontoONCanada,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Fabregat-Safont D, Mata-Pesquera M, Barneo-Muñoz M, Martinez-Garcia F, Mardal M, Davidsen AB, Sancho JV, Hernández F, Ibáñez M. In-depth comparison of the metabolic and pharmacokinetic behaviour of the structurally related synthetic cannabinoids AMB-FUBINACA and AMB-CHMICA in rats. Commun Biol 2022; 5:161. [PMID: 35210552 PMCID: PMC8873228 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids receptor agonists (SCRAs) are often almost completely metabolised, and hence their pharmacokinetics should be carefully evaluated for determining the most adequate biomarker in toxicological analysis. Two structurally related SCRAs, AMB-FUBINACA and AMB-CHMICA, were selected to evaluate their in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetics using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Brain, liver, kidney, blood (serum) and urine samples were collected at different times to assess the differences in metabolism, metabolic reactions, tissue distribution and excretion. Both compounds experimented O-demethyl reaction, which occurred more rapidly for AMB-FUBINACA. The parent compounds and O-demethyl metabolites were highly bioaccumulated in liver, and were still detected in this tissue 48 h after injection. The different indazole/indole N-functionalisation produced diverse metabolic reactions in this moiety and thus, different urinary metabolites were formed. Out of the two compounds, AMB-FUBINACA seemed to easily cross the blood-brain barrier, presenting higher brain/serum concentrations ratio than AMB-CHMICA. Synthetic cannabinoids are amongst the most widely used psychoactive drugs which are tightly controlled by government agencies around the world. Here, pharmacokinetics of two synthetic cannabinoids in rats are evaluated along with their metabolites and tissue distribution, aiding in identifying distinct biomarkers that reflect the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids based on the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - María Mata-Pesquera
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Manuela Barneo-Muñoz
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional NeuroFun-UVEG-UJI, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Ferran Martinez-Garcia
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional NeuroFun-UVEG-UJI, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Marie Mardal
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders B Davidsen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - María Ibáñez
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain.
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Alam RM, Keating JJ. "Walking the nitrogen around the ring": Chemical synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of novel 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-azaindazole analogs of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-PINACA. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:277-297. [PMID: 34654062 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3180] [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: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) have rapidly evolved to encompass a wide range of structurally diverse new psychoactive substances (NPS), including derivatives that incorporate indole, indazole, 7-azaindole, γ-carbolinone, or carbazole heterocyclic scaffolds. The introduction of legislative measures seeking to control the availability of NPS on the recreational drug scene has likely contributed to the continued emergence of novel SCRA analogs, which often evade regulatory control. However, the detection and/or identification of azaindazole-type SCRAs in seized material has not yet been reported (September, 2021). It is plausible that SCRAs bearing a 1,3-disubstituted azaindazole scaffold may possess cannabimimetic activity, given their structural similarity with known indole, indazole, and azaindole SCRAs. In view of these antecedents, a set of four novel isomeric 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-azaindazole analogs of the known potent indazole SCRA, MDMB-PINACA, were synthesized using a Pd-catalyzed aminocarbonylation strategy. The complementary use of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has permitted the spectroscopic differentiation, unambiguous structural assignment, and rapid separation of novel isomeric 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-azaindazole analogs of the indazole SCRA, MDMB-PINACA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Alam
- Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility (ABCRF), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John J Keating
- Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility (ABCRF), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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6
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Fabregat-Safont D, Sancho JV, Hernández F, Ibáñez M. The key role of mass spectrometry in comprehensive research on new psychoactive substances. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2021; 56:e4673. [PMID: 33155376 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a wide group of compounds that try to mimic the effects produced by the 'classical' illicit drugs, including cannabis (synthetic cannabinoids), cocaine and amphetamines (synthetic cathinones) or heroin (synthetic opioids), and which health effects are still unknown for most of them. Nowadays, more than 700 compounds are being monitored by official organisms, some of which have been recently identified in seizures and/or intoxication cases. Toxicological analysis plays a pivotal role in NPS research. A comprehensive investigation on NPS, from the first identification of a novel substance until its detection in drug users to help in diagnostics and medical treatment, requires the use of a wide variety of instruments and analytical strategies. This paper illustrates the key role of mass spectrometry (MS) along a comprehensive investigation on NPS. The synthetic cannabinoid XLR-11 and the synthetic cathinone 5-PPDi have been chosen as representative substances of the most consumed NPS families. Moreover, both compounds have been investigated at our laboratory in different stages of the three-step strategy considered in this article. The initial identification and characterisation of the compound in consumption products, the first reported metabolic pathway and the development of analytical methodologies for its determination (and/or their metabolites) in different toxicological samples are described. The analytical strategies and MS instruments are briefly discussed to show the reader the possibilities that MS instrumentation offer to analytical scientists. This publication aims to be a starting point for those interested on the NPS research field from an analytical chemistry point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, Castellón, 12071, Spain
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, Castellón, 12071, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, Castellón, 12071, Spain
| | - María Ibáñez
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, Castellón, 12071, Spain
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7
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Fabregat-Safont D, Barneo-Muñoz M, Carbón X, Hernández F, Martinez-Garcia F, Ventura M, Stove CP, Sancho JV, Ibáñez M. Understanding the pharmacokinetics of synthetic cathinones: Evaluation of the blood-brain barrier permeability of 13 related compounds in rats. Addict Biol 2020; 26:e12979. [PMID: 33289258 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are the second most commonly seized new psychoactive substance family in Europe. These compounds have been related to several intoxication cases, including fatalities. Although the pharmacological effects, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of cathinones have been studied, there is little information about the permeability of these compounds through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is an important parameter to understand the behavior and potency of cathinones. In this work, 13 selected cathinones have been analyzed in telencephalon tissue from Sprague-Dawley rats intraperitoneally dosed at 3 mg/kg. Our results revealed a direct relationship between compound polarity and BBB permeability, with higher permeability for the more polar cathinones. The chemical moieties present in the cathinone had an important impact on the BBB permeability, with lengthening of the α-alkyl chain or functionalization of the aromatic ring with alkyl moieties resulting in lower concentration in telencephalon tissue. Our data suggest that transport of cathinones is a carrier-mediated process, similar to cocaine transport across the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
| | - Manuela Barneo-Muñoz
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional NeuroFun-UVEG-UJI, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
| | - Xoán Carbón
- Energy Control, Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
| | - Ferran Martinez-Garcia
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional NeuroFun-UVEG-UJI, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
| | - María Ibáñez
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
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Tyler Davidson J, Piacentino EL, Sasiene ZJ, Abiedalla Y, DeRuiter J, Clark CR, Berden G, Oomens J, Ryzhov V, Jackson GP. Identification of novel fragmentation pathways and fragment ion structures in the tandem mass spectra of protonated synthetic cathinones. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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9
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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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10
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Fabregat-Safont D, Mardal M, Sancho JV, Hernández F, Linnet K, Ibáñez M. Metabolic profiling of four synthetic stimulants, including the novel indanyl-cathinone 5-PPDi, after human hepatocyte incubation. J Pharm Anal 2020; 10:147-156. [PMID: 32373386 PMCID: PMC7192961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are new psychoactive substances that represent a health risk worldwide. For most of the 130 reported compounds, information about toxicology and/or metabolism is not available, which hampers their detection (and subsequent medical treatment) in intoxication cases. The principles of forensic analytical chemistry and the use of powerful analytical techniques are indispensable for stablishing the most appropriate biomarkers for these substances. Human metabolic fate of synthetic cathinones can be assessed by the analysis of urine and blood obtained from authentic consumers; however, this type of samples is limited and difficult to access. In this work, the metabolic behaviour of three synthetic cathinones (4-CEC, 4-CPrC and 5-PPDi) and one amphetamine (3-FEA) has been evaluated by incubation with pooled human hepatocytes and metabolite identification has been performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. This in vitro approach has previously shown its feasibility for obtaining excretory human metabolites. 4-CEC and 3-FEA were not metabolised, and for 4-CPrC only two minor metabolites were obtained. On the contrary, for the recently reported 5-PPDi, twelve phase I metabolites were elucidated. Up to our knowledge, this is the first metabolic study of an indanyl-cathinone. Data reported in this paper will allow the detection of these synthetic stimulants in intoxication cases, and will facilitate future research on the metabolic behaviour of other indanyl-based cathinones. In vitro metabolic behaviour of 4-CEC, 4-CPrC, 5-PPDi and 3-FEA has been evaluated. Metabolite elucidation has been performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. 4-CEC and 3-FEA were not metabolised. Two minor metabolites were obtained for 4-CPrC. Twelve phase I metabolites were elucidated for the indanyl-cathinone 5-PPDi. Up to our knowledge, this is the first metabolic study of an indanyl-cathinone.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fabregat-Safont
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Marie Mardal
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Faculty of Health and Medicinal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's vej 11, 2100, København Ø, Denmark.,Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Sykehusvegen, Tromsoe, Norway
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Kristian Linnet
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Faculty of Health and Medicinal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's vej 11, 2100, København Ø, Denmark
| | - María Ibáñez
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
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Ishii A, Kusakabe K, Kato N, Sasaki SI, Tsujikawa K, Wada T. Studies on the phase I metabolites of the new designer drug 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidine-1-yl)butan-1-one (5-PPDI) in human urine. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 310:110214. [PMID: 32199237 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolidinophenones (PPs) are synthetic cathinones containing a pyrrolidine ring that are used recreationally worldwide. Recently, many studies on the metabolism and cytotoxicity of PPs have been published. Here, we focus on new designer drug containing an indan skeleton, 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidine-1-yl)butan-1-one (5-PPDI), because there have been no reports to date regarding the metabolism of indan-type cathinones. The identification of 5-PPDI phase I metabolites in human urine enables us to determine whether a person has taken 5-PPDI. This metabolite detection approach plays a very important role in the field of forensic science. We synthesized analytical standards of 5-PPDI and four proposed metabolites. A urine sample was prepared by salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile. Analyses of all standards and the urine sample were performed by liquid chromatography high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. As a result, we were able to detect 5-PPDI and its metabolites in the urine specimen. Two diastereomers of synthesized 1-OH metabolites were successfully separated, and only one diastereomer was observed in the urine specimen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the stereoselective reduction of PPs in humans. Further, we performed quantitative analyses of 5-PPDI and its metabolites in the urine. We identified three characteristic features of 5-PPDI phase I metabolism: (1) hydroxylation at the indan skeleton, (2) stereoselective reduction of the carbonyl group, and (3) hydroxylation of the indan skeleton possibly proceeding more preferentially than any other metabolization. In addition, several structural isomers and diastereomers of 2'-OH metabolites were detected. Based on these data, we propose phase I metabolic pathways of 5-PPDI, which will be essential in understanding the metabolism of other PPs with an indan skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumu Ishii
- Scientific Crime Laboratory, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kusakabe
- Scientific Crime Laboratory, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kato
- Scientific Crime Laboratory, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Sasaki
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Metropolitan Police Department, Japan
| | | | - Takeshi Wada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Japan.
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12
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Fabregat-Safont D, Carbón X, Ventura M, Fornís I, Hernández F, Ibáñez M. Characterization of a recently detected halogenated aminorex derivative: para-fluoro-4-methylaminorex (4'F-4-MAR). Sci Rep 2019; 9:8314. [PMID: 31165778 PMCID: PMC6549166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44830-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that 33% of the new psychoactive substances seized in 2015 were synthetic cathinones, the number of these derivatives has been decreasing in the last years, probably as a consequence of the unfavourable effects reported by users. Thus, the list of possible cathinone analogues is expected to get shorter, and it is likely that the same moiety changes applied for the preparation of synthetic cathinones will be applied in the near future to other stimulants in the search for favourable alternatives to controlled substances. This is evidenced by the increase in newly reported substances belonging to stimulant classes other than cathinones. One of the possible candidates for a new backbone from which to base new stimulants is aminorex, which is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Three derivatives have been reported until now: 4-methylaminorex or 4-MAR (also categorized as a Schedule I substance), para-methyl-4-methylaminorex (4,4′-DMAR) and 3′,4′-methylenedioxy-4-methylaminorex (MDMAR). Recently, the new halogenated 4-MAR derivative, para-fluoro-4-methylaminorex, characterised in this work (and abbreviated as pF-4-methylaminorex or 4′F-4-MAR) was detected by the Slovenian police. In the present work, 4′F-4-MAR has been characterized by high resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance in a sample obtained from an anonymous consumer. This research shows that the same modifications applied for the preparation of synthetic cathinones are being used to prepare new stimulants based on the aminorex backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Fabregat-Safont
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - X Carbón
- Energy Control (Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo), c/Independencia 384, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ventura
- Energy Control (Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo), c/Independencia 384, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Fornís
- Energy Control (Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo), c/Independencia 384, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Hernández
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - M Ibáñez
- Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
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13
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Rapid tentative identification of synthetic cathinones in seized products taking advantage of the full capabilities of triple quadrupole analyzer. Forensic Toxicol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-018-0432-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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