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Doganc F, Ozkan T, Farhangzad N, Mavideniz A, Celik I, Sunguroglu A, Göker H. Synthesis of novel indol-3-acetamido analogues as potent anticancer agents, biological evaluation and molecular modeling studies. Bioorg Chem 2024; 148:107429. [PMID: 38728910 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107429] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and their antitumoral activity has been reported against some various cancer cell lines. Some synthetic cannabinoids possessing indole rings such as JWH-015 and JWH-133 particularly bind to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor and it was reported that they inhibit the proliferation and growth of various cancer cells without their psychoactive effects. However, the pharmacological action mechanisms of the cannabinoids are completely unknown. In this study, we report the synthesis of some new cannabinoidic novel indoles and evaluate their anticancer activity on various cancerous and normal cell lines (U87, RPMI 8226, HL60 and L929) using several cellular and molecular assays including MTT assay, real-time q-PCR, scratch assay, DAPI assay, Annexin V-PE/7AAD staining, caspase3/7 activity tests. Our findings indicated that compounds 7, 10, 13, 16, and 17 could reduce cell viability effectively. Compound 17 markedly increased proapoptotic genes (BAX, BAD, and BIM), tumor suppressor gene (p53) expression levels as well as the BAX/BCL-2 ratio in U87 cells. In addition, 17 inhibited cell migration. Based on these results, 17 was chosen for determining the mechanism of cell death in U87 cells. DAPI and Annexin V-7AAD staining results showed that 17 induced apoptosis, moreover activated caspase 3/7 significantly. Hence, compound 17, was selected as a lead compound for further pharmacomodulation. To rationalize the observed biological activities of 17, our study also included a comprehensive analysis using molecular docking and MD simulations. This integrative approach revealed that 17 fits tightly into the active site of the CB2 receptor and is involved in key interactions that may be responsible for its anti-proliferative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Doganc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey
| | - Tulin Ozkan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nazila Farhangzad
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey; Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Dışkapı, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Acelya Mavideniz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey; Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Dışkapı, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ismail Celik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38280, Turkey
| | - Asuman Sunguroglu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hakan Göker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey.
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2
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Esdar N, Pawlik E, Eickhoff SB, Raupach A, Ritz-Timme S, Mayer F. Cardiac effects of 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:823-831. [PMID: 38214738 PMCID: PMC11003885 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03146-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids become increasingly popular as a supposedly safe and legal alternative to cannabis. In order to circumvent the German New Psychoactive Substances Law, producers of so-called herbal mixtures rapidly design new substances with structural alterations that are not covered by the law. Acting as full agonists not only at the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, synthetic cannabinoids might have not only desired mental but also serious physical adverse effects. However, knowledge of adverse effects of specific substances is sparse and incomplete. This also accounts for 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE, a synthetic cannabinoid, which has been detected regularly in Germany in recent years. By using an animal model, the isolated perfused Langendorff heart, the study at hand aimed on finding out more about possible cardiovascular adverse effects of 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE. Hearts of male Wistar rats, which were excised postmortem, were exposed to two different concentrations of 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE: 13 hearts were exposed to 50 ng/ml and 12 hearts were exposed to 100 ng/ml. Thirteen control hearts were merely exposed to an additional amount of buffer solution. Functional parameters heart rate, minimal and maximum left ventricular pressure and coronary flow were documented at pre-defined time points during and after the administration of 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE/additional buffer solution. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were documented throughout the experiments and evaluated afterwards. Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed for each functional parameter as well as for the duration of the QRS complexes and the duration of RR intervals as derived from the ECGs. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis, comprising all functional and ECG parameters, was performed. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed only single significant p-values for QRS duration and minimum left ventricular pressure that did not pass a Bonferroni test. The results of the multivariate approach were also comparably homogeneous, but still the model correctly recognized hearts exposed to 100 ng/ml of 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE more often than hearts exposed to the low concentration of 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE or additional buffer solution. Evaluation of the ECGs presented single cases of ST depression and QT prolongation. Though certainly not unambiguous, these findings support the assumption that 5F-Cumyl-PEGACLONE can cause severe, if not lethal, cardiac adverse effects like arrhythmias or myocardial infarctions especially if it is consumed in combination with other drugs like alcohol or if the consumer suffers from pre-existing heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Esdar
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Departement of Trauma Surgery, Hand Surgery and Orthopedics, Petrus Hospital Wuppertal, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Evelyn Pawlik
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Annika Raupach
- Departement of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ritz-Timme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Felix Mayer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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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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Roque-Bravo R, Silva RS, Malheiro RF, Carmo H, Carvalho F, da Silva DD, Silva JP. Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Pharmacological and Toxicological Overview. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:187-209. [PMID: 35914767 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-031122-113758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a chemically diverse group of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) that target the endocannabinoid system, triggering a plethora of actions (e.g., elevated mood sensation, relaxation, appetite stimulation) that resemble, but are more intense than, those induced by cannabis. Although some of these effects have been explored for therapeutic applications, anticipated stronger psychoactive effects than cannabis and reduced risk perception have increased the recreational use of SCs, which have dominated the NPS market in the United States and Europe over the past decade. However, rising SC-related intoxications and deaths represent a major public health concern and embody a major challenge for policy makers. Here, we review the pharmacology and toxicology of SCs. A thorough characterization of SCs' pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics is important to better understand the main mechanisms underlying acute and chronic effects of SCs, interpret the clinical/pathological findings related to SC use, and improve SC risk awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Roque-Bravo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Rafaela Sofia Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Rui F Malheiro
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Helena Carmo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Félix Carvalho
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Diana Dias da Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; , .,Toxicology Research Unit (TOXRUN), University Institute of Health Sciences, IUCS-CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
| | - João Pedro Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
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The Old and the New: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Alterations Induced by Acute JWH-018 Administration Compared to Δ 9-THC-A Preclinical Study in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021631. [PMID: 36675144 PMCID: PMC9865969 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Several new psychoactive substances (NPS) are responsible for intoxication involving the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Among NPS, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) provoked side effects in humans characterized by tachycardia, arrhythmias, hypertension, breathing difficulty, apnoea, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, the present study investigated the cardio-respiratory (MouseOx Plus; EMKA electrocardiogram (ECG) and plethysmography TUNNEL systems) and vascular (BP-2000 systems) effects induced by 1-naphthalenyl (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-methanone (JWH-018; 0.3-3-6 mg/kg) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC; 0.3-3-6 mg/kg), administered in awake CD-1 male mice. The results showed that higher doses of JWH-018 (3-6 mg/kg) induced deep and long-lasting bradycardia, alternated with bradyarrhythmia, spaced out by sudden episodes of tachyarrhythmias (6 mg/kg), and characterized by ECG electrical parameters changes, sustained bradypnea, and systolic and transient diastolic hypertension. Otherwise, Δ9-THC provoked delayed bradycardia (minor intensity tachyarrhythmias episodes) and bradypnea, also causing a transient and mild hypertensive effect at the tested dose range. These effects were prevented by both treatment with selective CB1 (AM 251, 6 mg/kg) and CB2 (AM 630, 6 mg/kg) receptor antagonists and with the mixture of the antagonists AM 251 and AM 630, even if in a different manner. Cardio-respiratory and vascular symptoms could be induced by peripheral and central CB1 and CB2 receptors stimulation, which could lead to both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems activation. These findings may represent a starting point for necessary future studies aimed at exploring the proper antidotal therapy to be used in SCs-intoxicated patient management.
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de Araujo KRG, Fabris AL, Neves Júnior LF, de Carvalho Ponce J, Soares AL, Costa JL, Yonamine M. The mystery behind the apprehensions of the selective cannabinoid receptor type-2 agonist BZO-HEXOXIZID (MDA-19) as a drug of abuse. Forensic Toxicol 2023; 41:142-150. [PMID: 36652069 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00646-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE MDA-19 or BZO-HEXOXIZID (N'-[(3Z)-1-(1-hexyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene]-benzohydrazide), in a more recent nomenclature, was first synthesized in 2008 as a selective type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) agonist due to its potential to treat neuropathic pain. In Brazil, this substance was identified in a series of 53 apprehensions between September 2021 and February 2022. Nevertheless, what intrigues toxicologists is that BZO-HEXOXIZID does not exert significant type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) agonism-which is responsible for the well-known psychoactivity of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Thus, the objective of this work is to report the first apprehension and identification of BZO-HEXOXIZID in Brazil and to discuss pharmacologically the possible reasons why a CB2 agonist has been incorporated to the illicit market. METHODS Suspected seized samples were sent to the Laboratory of the Scientific Police of the State of Sao Paulo. After the screening, samples were confirmed for the presence of BZO-HEXOXIZID using chromatography gas-mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. RESULTS Of the 53 samples analyzed, 25 contained only BZO-HEXOXIZID and 28 with mixtures, of which 11 with the CB1 agonist ADB-BUTINACA. Other substances were found in association such as cocaine and caffeine. CONCLUSIONS BZO-HEXOXIZID was detected in a series of seized materials for the first time in Brazil. Nevertheless, there are still unanswered questions regarding the use of this selective CB2 agonist as a drug of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Luis Fabris
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Luiz F Neves Júnior
- Superintendence of the Technical-Scientific Police, Institute of Criminalistics, São Paulo, SP, 05507-060, Brazil
| | - Júlio de Carvalho Ponce
- Superintendence of the Technical-Scientific Police, Institute of Criminalistics, São Paulo, SP, 05507-060, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Learth Soares
- Instrumental Analysis Laboratory of the Technical-Scientific Police, Institute of Criminalistics, São Paulo, SP, 05507-060, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Costa
- Campinas Poison Control Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-859, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Yonamine
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
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7
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Li Y, Dai J, Tran LN, Pinkerton KE, Spindel ER, Nguyen TB. Vaping Aerosols from Vitamin E Acetate and Tetrahydrocannabinol Oil: Chemistry and Composition. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:1095-1109. [PMID: 35559605 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The popularity of vaping cannabis products has increased sharply in recent years. In 2019, a sudden onset of electronic cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) was reported, leading to thousands of cases of lung illness and dozens of deaths due to the vaping of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-liquids that were obtained on the black market. A potential cause of EVALI has been hypothesized due to the illicit use of vitamin E acetate (VEA) in cannabis vape cartridges. However, the chemistry that modifies VEA and THC oil, to potentially produce toxic byproducts, is not well understood under different scenarios of use. In this work, we quantified carbonyls, organic acids, cannabinoids, and terpenes in the vaping aerosol of pure VEA, purified THC oil, and an equal volume mixture of VEA and THC oil at various coil temperatures (100-300 °C). It was found under the conditions of our study that degradation of VEA and cannabinoids, including Δ9-THC and cannabigerol (CBG), occurred via radical oxidation and direct thermal decomposition pathways. Evidence of terpene degradation was also observed. The bond cleavage of aliphatic side chains in both VEA and cannabinoids formed a variety of smaller carbonyls. Oxidation at the ring positions of cannabinoids formed various functionalized products. We show that THC oil has a stronger tendency to aerosolize and degrade compared to VEA at a given temperature. The addition of VEA to the e-liquid nonlinearly suppressed the formation of vape aerosol compared to THC oil. At the same time, toxic carbonyls including formaldehyde, 4-methylpentanal, glyoxal, or diacetyl and its isomers were highly enhanced in VEA e-liquid when normalized to particle mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Li
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Jiayin Dai
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Lillian N Tran
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Kent E Pinkerton
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Eliot R Spindel
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, United States
| | - Tran B Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
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Finley SJ, Javan GT, Green RL. Bridging Disciplines: Applications of Forensic Science and Industrial Hemp. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:760374. [PMID: 35479622 PMCID: PMC9038041 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.760374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Forensic laboratories are required to have analytical tools to confidently differentiate illegal substances such as marijuana from legal products (i.e., industrial hemp). The Achilles heel of industrial hemp is its association with marijuana. Industrial hemp from the Cannabis sativa L. plant is reported to be one of the strongest natural multipurpose fibers on earth. The Cannabis plant is a vigorous annual crop broadly separated into two classes: industrial hemp and marijuana. Up until the eighteenth century, hemp was one of the major fibers in the United States. The decline of its cultivation and applications is largely due to burgeoning manufacture of synthetic fibers. Traditional composite materials such as concrete, fiberglass insulation, and lumber are environmentally unfavorable. Industrial hemp exhibits environmental sustainability, low maintenance, and high local and national economic impacts. The 2018 Farm Bill made way for the legalization of hemp by categorizing it as an ordinary agricultural commodity. Unlike marijuana, hemp contains less than 0.3% of the cannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound which gives users psychotropic effects and confers illegality in some locations. On the other hand, industrial hemp contains cannabidiol found in the resinous flower of Cannabis and is purported to have multiple advantageous uses. There is a paucity of investigations of the identity, microbial diversity, and biochemical characterizations of industrial hemp. This review provides background on important topics regarding hemp and the quantification of total tetrahydrocannabinol in hemp products. It will also serve as an overview of emergent microbiological studies regarding hemp inflorescences. Further, we examine challenges in using forensic analytical methodologies tasked to distinguish legal fiber-type material from illegal drug-types.
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Ponce JDC, Neves Junior LFN, da Silva ACS, Liberatori LC, de Medeiros PV. Detection of cocaine crystals dispersed on non- Erythroxylum herbs. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 332:111209. [PMID: 35131670 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This case report deals with an unusual seized drugs case, in which cocaine, more commonly found in powder form or as crack cocaine, was found in herbs similar to those used to deliver synthetic cannabinoids. A comparison with expected physical appearance and chemical results for a genuine coca leaf is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio de Carvalho Ponce
- Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Ferreira Neves Neves Junior
- Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Stosch da Silva
- Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Liberatori
- Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila Vieira de Medeiros
- Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Tettey J, Crean C. New psychoactive substances: catalysing a shift in forensic science practice? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2015; 370:20140265. [PMID: 26101290 PMCID: PMC4581009 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of substances of abuse remains one of the most matured areas in forensic science with a strong scientific basis, namely analytical chemistry. The current evolving drug markets, characterized by the global emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and the need for forensic scientists to identify an unprecedented and ever-increasing number of NPS, presents a unique challenge to this discipline. This article looks at the current situation with NPS at the global level, and the challenges posed to the otherwise technically robust forensic science discipline of analysis of substances of abuse. It discusses the preparedness of forensic science to deal with the current situation and identifies the need for a shift in forensic science practice, especially one which embraces research and looks beyond normal casework in order to provide the much needed data for developing effective policy responses to the NPS problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Tettey
- Laboratory and Scientific Section, Research and Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Conor Crean
- Laboratory and Scientific Section, Research and Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
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