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Lu Y, Cao Y, Tang X, Hu N, Wang Z, Xu P, Hua Z, Wang Y, Su Y, Guo Y. Deep learning-assisted mass spectrometry imaging for preliminary screening and pre-classification of psychoactive substances. Talanta 2024; 272:125757. [PMID: 38368831 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125757] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Currently, it is of great urgency to develop a rapid pre-classification and screening method for suspected drugs as the constantly springing up of new psychoactive substances. In most researches, psychoactive substances classification approaches depended on the similar chemical structures and pharmacological action with known drugs. Such approaches could not face the complicated circumstance of emerging new psychoactive substances. Herein, mass spectrometry imaging and convolutional neural networks (CNN) were used for preliminary screening and pre-classification of suspected psychoactive substances. Mass spectrometry imaging was performed simultaneously on two brain slices as one was from blank group and another one was from psychoactive substance-induced group. Then, fused neurotransmitter variation mass spectrometry images (Nv-MSIs) reflecting the difference of neurotransmitters between two slices were achieved through two homemade programs. A CNN model was developed to classify the Nv-MSIs. Compared with traditional classification methods, CNN achieved better estimation accuracy and required minimal data preprocessing. Also, the specific region on Nv-MSIs and weight of each neurotransmitter that affected the classification most could be unraveled by CNN. Finally, the method was successfully applied to assist the identification of a new psychoactive substance seized recently. This sample was identified as cannabinoids, which greatly promoted the screening process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Lu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yuqi Cao
- Technical Centre, Shanghai Tobacco (Group) Corp., Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Xiaohang Tang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Na Hu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhengyong Wang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhendong Hua
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Youmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Yue Su
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yinlong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry and National Center for Organic Mass Spectrometry in Shanghai, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Harries RL, Norman C, Reid R, Nic Daéid N, Nisbet LA. Detection of anabolic-androgenic steroids in e-cigarettes seized from prisons: A case study. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 356:111965. [PMID: 38359752 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111965] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The administration of new psychoactive substances (NPS), in particular synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), via e-cigarettes, within prison settings has been well publicized. This study provides an overview of five e-cigarette case samples seized from Scottish prisons between May 2022 and July 2023 where the anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) mestanolone and oxandrolone were identified following gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. These e-cigarette samples represented 2.9% of all samples containing e-cigarette cartridges (n = 170) and 9.4% of all samples found to contain AASs (n = 53) seized during the same time period. The AASs were detected in combination with other drugs, including cocaine, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), SCRAs and nicotine. This represents a new and novel route of administration for AASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Harries
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - 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
| | - Niamh Nic Daéid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Lorna A Nisbet
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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Lea Houston M, Morgan J, Kelso C. Narrative Review of the Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicities of Illicit Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists. Mini Rev Med Chem 2024; 24:92-109. [PMID: 37190813 DOI: 10.2174/1389557523666230515163107] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are the most diverse class of new psychoactive substances worldwide, with approximately 300 unique SCRAs identified to date. While the use of this class of drug is not particularly prevalent, SCRAs are associated with several deaths every year due to their severe toxicity. METHODS A thorough examination of the literature identified 15 new SCRAs with a significant clinical impact between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS These 15 SCRAs have been implicated in 154 hospitalizations and 209 deaths across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australasia during this time period. CONCLUSION This narrative review provides pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicologic data for SCRAs as a drug class, including an in-depth review of known pharmacological properties of 15 recently identified and emerging SCRAs for the benefit of researchers, policy makers, and clinicians who wish to be informed of developments in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Lea Houston
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jody Morgan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Celine Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular Horizons Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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An X, Jiang D, Cao Q, Wang W, Xu F, Shiigi H, Chen Z. Ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence sensor for the detection of synthetic cannabinoids based on perovskite as coreaction accelerator and light-scattering effects of photonic crystals. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1279:341852. [PMID: 37827658 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341852] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
As is common knowledge, a strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal is required to ensure the high sensitivity of trace target detection. Here, a dual signal amplification strategy by integrating of perovskite and photonic crystal was fabricated for quantitative synthetic cannabinoids (AB-PINACA) detection based on Zr-connected PTCA and TCPP (PTCA-TCPP) with excellent ECL performance as luminophores. On the one hand, the co-reaction accelerator perovskite (LaCoO3) improved the effective electroactive area of the electrode and promoted the decomposition of K2S2O8, resulting in a stronger ECL signal value. On the other hand, polystyrene inverse opal (PIOPCs) formed after the swelling of PS microspheres not only taken advantage of the light scattering effect and excellent catalytic property of photonic crystals to amplify the ECL signal, but also could be used as a binder to fix LaCoO3 and PTCA-TCPP on the electrode surface to generate unprecedented ECL response and stable ECL signals. Subsequently, the detection substance AB-PINACA was loaded on the electrode surface via the amide bond with the luminophores PTCA-TCPP, thus quenching the ECL signal, so as to realize the sensitive detection of synthetic cannabinoids. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed sensor achieved highly sensitive AB-PINACA detection with a dynamic range from 1.0 × 10-12 to 1.0 × 10-3 g/L and the detection limit was 1.1 × 10-13 g/L, which had great application potential in the detection of synthetic cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei An
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Ding Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China; Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Qianying Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Wenchang Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China; Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Fangmin Xu
- Institute of Forensic Science, Public Security Bureau of Jiangyin, Wuxi, 214431, China
| | - Hiroshi Shiigi
- Osaka Metropolitan University, Department of Applied Chemistry, Naka Ku, 1-1 Gakuen, Naka, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan
| | - Zhidong Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China; Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China.
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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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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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Pulver B, Schönberger T, Weigel D, Köck M, Eschenlohr Y, Lucas T, Podlesnik N, Opatz T, Dreiseitel W, Pütz M, Schäper J, Jacobsen-Bauer A, Auwärter V, Westphal F. Structure elucidation of the novel synthetic cannabinoid Cumyl-tosyl-indazole-3-carboxamide (Cumyl-TsINACA) found in illicit products in Germany. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1387-1406. [PMID: 35338591 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
New chemical moieties continue to appear in synthetic cannabimimetics (SC), the largest group of new psychoactive substances in the EU. We describe the first comprehensive characterisation of the novel SC Cumyl-TsINACA (N-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1-tosyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide) from seized case samples. Structure elucidation was performed within the EU-project ADEBAR plus to facilitate confident identification by other researchers and practitioners worldwide. Characteristic MS fragmentations include the cleavage of the sulfonamide bond (S-N), the aryl sulfone bond (C-S) and the elimination rearrangement of SO2 in the side chain. Cumyl-TsINACA is a full receptor agonist at hCB1 (Emax = 228%) with very weak binding affinity (Ki = 292 nm) and low functional activity (EC50 = 31 μm). Thermal degradation of Cumyl-TsINACA was observed under GC conditions. The degree to which the tosyl side chain is cleaved due to pyrolysis primarily depends on solvent, the use of glass wool in the liner, and injector temperature. The determination of the constitution by NMR spectroscopy was ambiguous due to the high number of neighbouring, non-proton-bearing atoms. Therefore, other possible structures compatible with the NMR correlations were generated using the WebCocon software. The unambiguous structural evidence was finally obtained by spectra comparison after the synthesis of Cumyl-TsINACA. The low thermal stability, as well as the low affinity and potency, render this compound unfavourable for the use as a psychoactive substance. Thus, we do not expect widespread adoption of this SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Pulver
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
| | - Torsten Schönberger
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Diana Weigel
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Matthias Köck
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Yvonne Eschenlohr
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, München, Germany
| | - Tobias Lucas
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nika Podlesnik
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Till Opatz
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Dreiseitel
- Hessian State Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Michael Pütz
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Jan Schäper
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
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Kumar S, Baggi TR. Analytical Methods for Herbal Products Containing Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Review. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Identification of synthetic cannabinoid methyl 2-{[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1 H-indol-3-yl] formamido}-3-methylbutanoate using modern mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. OPEN CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2021-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The samples of plant material suspected to contain new psychoactive substances are very often the subject of chemical-toxicological analyses. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS), liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-MS, and liquid chromatography-tandem MS were applied with the aim to identify synthetic cannabinoid, methyl 2-{[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl] formamido}-3-methylbutanoate (MMB-CHMICA) without the analytical standard, which is very often the case when a new drug arrives. The structure of compound was also confirmed by one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and conformational analysis. After identification, methanolic extract of plant material containing MMB-CHMICA was successfully used for developing a multiple reaction monitoring method on liquid chromatography-tandem MS instrument. The optimization procedure is shown in detail. The complete fragmentation pattern and also the optimization of the extraction procedure of MMB-CHMICA from plant material were shown. The obtained data are useful for forensic, toxicological, and clinical purposes.
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Wu N, Danoun S, Balayssac S, Malet-Martino M, Lamoureux C, Gilard V. Synthetic cannabinoids in e-liquids: A proton and fluorine NMR analysis from a conventional spectrometer to a compact one. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 324:110813. [PMID: 33993010 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110813] [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] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The 1H NMR profiles of 13 samples of e-liquids supplied by French customs were obtained with high-field and low-field NMR. The high-field 1H NMR spectra allowed the detection of matrix signals, synthetic cannabinoids, and flavouring compounds. Quantitative results were obtained for the five synthetic cannabinoids detected: JWH-210, 5F-MDMB-PICA, 5F-ADB, 5F-AKB48, and ADB-FUBINACA. Conventional GC-MS analysis was used to confirm compound identification. Fluorine-19 NMR was proposed for the quantification of fluorinated synthetic cannabinoids and was successfully implemented on both 400 MHz and 60 MHz NMR spectrometers. This study based on few examples explored the potentiality of low-field NMR for quantitative and quantitative analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in e-liquids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Wu
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (UMR CNRS 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse Cedex, 31062, France
| | - Saïda Danoun
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (UMR CNRS 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse Cedex, 31062, France
| | - Stéphane Balayssac
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (UMR CNRS 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse Cedex, 31062, France
| | - Myriam Malet-Martino
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (UMR CNRS 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse Cedex, 31062, France
| | | | - Véronique Gilard
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (UMR CNRS 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse Cedex, 31062, France.
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Toxicology of flavoring- and cannabis-containing e-liquids used in electronic delivery systems. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 224:107838. [PMID: 33746051 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were introduced in the United States in 2007 and by 2014 they were the most popular tobacco product amongst youth and had overtaken use of regular tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes are used to aerosolize a liquid (e-liquid) that the user inhales. Flavorings in e-liquids is a primary reason for youth to initiate use of e-cigarettes. Evidence is growing in the scientific literature that inhalation of some flavorings is not without risk of harm. In this review, 67 original articles (primarily cellular in vitro) on the toxicity of flavored e-liquids were identified in the PubMed and Scopus databases and evaluated critically. At least 65 individual flavoring ingredients in e-liquids or aerosols from e-cigarettes induced toxicity in the respiratory tract, cardiovascular and circulatory systems, skeletal system, and skin. Cinnamaldehyde was most frequently reported to be cytotoxic, followed by vanillin, menthol, ethyl maltol, ethyl vanillin, benzaldehyde and linalool. Additionally, modern e-cigarettes can be modified to aerosolize cannabis as dried plant material or a concentrated extract. The U.S. experienced an outbreak of lung injuries, termed e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) that began in 2019; among 2,022 hospitalized patients who had data on substance use (as of January 14, 2020), 82% reported using a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (main psychoactive component in cannabis) containing e-cigarette, or vaping, product. Our literature search identified 33 articles related to EVALI. Vitamin E acetate, a diluent and thickening agent in cannabis-based products, was strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak in epidemiologic and laboratory studies; however, e-liquid chemistry is highly complex, and more than one mechanism of lung injury, ingredient, or thermal breakdown product may be responsible for toxicity. More research is needed, particularly with regard to e-cigarettes (generation, power settings, etc.), e-liquids (composition, bulk or vaped form), modeled systems (cell type, culture type, and dosimetry metrics), biological monitoring, secondhand exposures and contact with residues that contain nicotine and flavorings, and causative agents and mechanisms of EVALI toxicity.
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