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Jie Z, Qin S, Liu F, Xu D, Sun J, Qin G, Hou X, Xu P, Zhang W, Gao C, Lu J. Analysis on dynamic changes of etizolam and its metabolites and exploration of its development prospect using UPLC-Q-exactive-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 240:115936. [PMID: 38183733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115936] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
As one of the most widely abused designer benzodiazepines in the world, etizolam has been found in many cases in many countries. In this study, UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS was used for the first time to establish a dynamic change model of etizolam and its metabolites in rats. Compared with previous studies, the detection sensitivity and reproducibility of the instrument were higher. In the experiment, we optimized the traditional pharmacokinetic model based on Gauss function. According to the significant difference of etizolam in the plasma elimination phase of rats, a new pharmacokinetic model based on Lorentz function was established to describe the dynamic changes of etizolam more rigorously, which made the error effects lower and the accuracy of the pharmacokinetic parameters was improved. At the same time, the pharmacokinetic parameters of etizolam were compared with four other designer benzodiazepines reported in previous studies in rats, and we found the direct reason for the popularity of etizolam in the NPS market and explored the future development of etizolam for the first time. In addition, 21 metabolites were found through rat experiments to effectively detect etizolam abuse for a long time, of which 4 metabolites had the longest detection window and could be used as long-acting metabolites for experiments, which greatly prolongs the detection window and extends the time range in which etizolam was detected in real cases. This study is the first to conduct a systematic and comprehensive study on the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of etizolam and find out the direct reason for the prevalence of etizolam abuse, and we also discuss the development trend of etizolam in the future market of new psychoactive substances, which is beneficial for forensic experts to assess the trend of drug abuse and can provide reference for relevant drug control and drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Jie
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Shiyang Qin
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Fubang Liu
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Duoqi Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Ge Qin
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiaolong Hou
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring, Control and Anti drug Key Technologies of the Ministry of Public Security, Anti drug Information Technology Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenfang Zhang
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China.
| | - Chunfang Gao
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China.
| | - Jianghai Lu
- Drug and Food Anti-doping Laboratory, China Anti-Doping Agency, 1st Anding Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China.
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Zhao X, Hou T, Zhou H, Liu Z, Liu Y, Wang C, Guo Z, Yu D, Xu Q, Wang J, Liang X. Multi-effective components and their target mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in the treatment of insomnia. Fitoterapia 2023; 171:105712. [PMID: 37884227 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105712] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Insomnia is a common and refractory disease. Since more than 2000 years ago, people have been using Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS). However, there are lack of molecular mechanisms of sleep promotion effects of ZSS. The purpose of this study is to clarify the active ingredients in ZSS that are used to treat insomnia. Using a method called cellular label-free integrative pharmacology (CLIP), we established five insomnia-related target models, including serotonin (5HT2A and 5HT1A), melatonin (MT1), dopamine (D2) and epinephrine (β2) receptors. The one-dimensional (1D) fractions of ZSS extract were prepared on a RZC18 column and assayed on five models. Subsequently, the active fraction was further analyzed, fractionated and quantified using a two-dimensional (2D) liquid phase method coupled with a charged aerosol detector (CAD), This CAD-coupled 2D-LC method requires micro-fractions from the 1D separation and thus it greatly saves sample amounts and corresponding preparation time, and quickly conduct activity screening. The composition of the active 2D fractions was then determined using three-dimensional (3D) HPLC-MS, and molecular docking was separately carried out for the described compounds on the targets for activity prediction. Seven compounds were predicted to be active on 5HT2A, and two compounds on D2. We experimentally verified the prediction and found that vitexin exhibited D2 agonistic activity, and nuciferine exhibited 5HT2A antagonistic activity. This study revealed the effective components and their targets of ZSS in the treatment of insomnia, also highlighted the potential of the CLIP technique and bioactivity guided multi-dimensional HPLC-MS in molecular mechanism elucidation for traditional Chinese medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Han Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Ziling Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Yanfang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Chaoran Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zhimou Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Dongping Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Qing Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Jixia Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China.
| | - Xinmiao Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China.
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Papsun DM, Chan-Hosokawa A, Lamb ME, Logan B. Increasing prevalence of designer benzodiazepines in impaired driving: A 5-year analysis from 2017 to 2021. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:668-679. [PMID: 37338191 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Designer benzodiazepine (DBZD) use has been increasing over the past decade and poses a threat to human health and safety, particularly when involved in driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases. Over a 5-year period between 2017 and 2021, there were 1,145 reported DBZDs in 805 blood samples submitted from law enforcement agencies for DUID testing. Eleven different DBZDs were detected, including three metabolite pairs: etizolam/alpha-hydroxyetizolam, clonazolam/8-aminoclonazolam, diclazepam/delorazepam, flualprazolam, flubromazolam, flubromazepam, bromazolam and bromazepam. Etizolam/alpha-hydroxyetizolam (n = 485) and flualprazolam (n = 149) were the most frequently detected DBZDs, at 60% and 18%, respectively. Driving behavior, standardized field sobriety test performance and physical observations of individuals suspected of DUIDs, whose blood sample was toxicologically confirmed for one or more DBZDs, were consistent with the effects caused by central nervous system depressants. Each DBZD has its own unique timeline, and toxicology testing had to be frequently updated to reflect the state of the novel psychoactive substance market. DBZDs play a role in impaired driving and can be the sole intoxicant in DUID cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Barry Logan
- NMS Laboratories, 200 Welsh Rd, Horsham, PA 19044, USA
- Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA
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Jie Z, Qin S, Zhang W, Wang J, Lu J, Qin G, Hou X, Xu P. Metabolic Profile Analysis of Designer Benzodiazepine Etizolam in Zebrafish and Human Liver Microsomes. Metabolites 2023; 13:699. [PMID: 37367857 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13060699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the most widely abused designer benzodiazepines worldwide, Etizolam is characterized by its high addiction potential, low production cost, and difficulty in detection. Due to the rapid metabolism of Etizolam in the human body, the probability of detecting the Etizolam parent drug in actual case samples by forensic personnel is low. Therefore, without detecting the parent drug, analysis of Etizolam metabolites can help forensic personnel provide references and suggestions on whether the suspect has taken Etizolam. This study simulates the objective metabolic process of the human body. It establishes a zebrafish in vivo metabolism model and a human liver microsome in vitro metabolism model to analyze the metabolic characteristics of Etizolam. A total of 28 metabolites were detected in the experiment, including 13 produced in zebrafish, 28 produced in zebrafish urine and feces, and 17 produced in human liver microsomes. The UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS technology was used to analyze the structures and related metabolic pathways of Etizolam metabolites in zebrafish and human liver microsomes, and a total of 9 metabolic pathways were identified, including monohydroxylation, dihydroxylation, hydration, desaturation, methylation, oxidative deamination to alcohol, oxidation, reduction acetylation, and glucuronidation. Among them, metabolites involving hydroxylation reactions (including monohydroxylation and dihydroxylation) accounted for 57.1% of the total number of potential metabolites, indicating that hydroxylation may be the major metabolic pathway of Etizolam. Based on the response values of each metabolite, monohydroxylation (M1), desaturation (M19), and hydration (M16) were recommended as potential biomarkers for Etizolam metabolism. The experimental results provide reference and guidance for forensic personnel in identifying Etizolam use in suspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Jie
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Shiyang Qin
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Wenfang Zhang
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Jifen Wang
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Jianghai Lu
- Drug and Food Anti-Doping Laboratory, China Anti-Doping Agency, 1st Anding Road, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ge Qin
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiaolong Hou
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring, Control and Anti Drug Key Technologies, Ministry of Public Security, Anti Drug Information Technology Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China
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