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Mata-Pesquera M, Fabregat-Safont D, Sancho JV, Ibáñez M. Exploiting the triple quadrupole mass analyzer for the open detection and tentative identification of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists based on common fragmentation pathways. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1329:343226. [PMID: 39396291 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.343226] [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: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has emerged as a significant public health concern globally, due to their unknown and unpredictable effects on both physical and mental health. Among them, synthetic cannabinoids receptor agonists (SCRAs) currently stand as the most widely consumed NPS family in Europe. Since the detection of JWH-018 in 2008, the structures of these compounds have evolved to circumvent legislation and/or enhance their effects, consequently increasing the number of reported SCRAs to be monitored. Therefore, new strategies are needed to identify these compounds, whether in seized products or in biological samples. RESULTS This study presents the development of an open method for detecting SCRAs employing a "pseudo-target" screening approach, a strategy previously developed and used in our laboratory for synthetic cathinones identification. The methodology involves monitoring the main product ions and neutral losses derived from 179 SCRAs of the third and fourth generations, based on their fragmentation pathways. This approach allows for the tentative identification of the SCRAs, supported also by the created database. The versatility of the developed methodology is highlighted, extending its utility beyond seizure products or 'legal highs', to biological samples. In this sense, it has been successfully applied not only to the detection of SCRAs in research chemicals but also in authentic urine from an anonymous SCRAs consumer, through the identification of a metabolite. SIGNIFICANCE This strategy will be particularly useful for the rapid detection of SCRAs in forensic and toxicological laboratories equipped with low-resolution MS/MS instrumentation. This is a valuable tool for the identification and monitoring of SCRAs across various contexts, significantly contributing to public health and forensic security efforts. It is especially beneficial for healthcare providers, enabling them to make informed treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Mata-Pesquera
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain; Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 88 Doctor Aiguader, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - María Ibáñez
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.
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Zaborowska M, Dobrowolski MA, Matyszewska D. Revealing the structure and mechanisms of action of a synthetic opioid with model biological membranes at the air-water interface. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 226:113289. [PMID: 37028230 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic opioids such as piperazine derivative called MT-45 interact with opioid receptors in a manner similar to morphine leading to euphoria, a sense of relaxation and pain relief and are commonly used as substituents of natural opioids. In this study we show the changes in the surface properties of nasal mucosa and intestinal epithelial model cell membranes formed at the air - water interface using Langmuir technique upon the exposure to MT-45. Both membranes constitute the first barrier to absorb this substance into the human body. The presence of the piperazine derivative affects the organization of both DPPC and ternary DMPC:DMPE:DMPS monolayers treated as simple models of nasal mucosa and intestinal cell membranes, respectively. This novel psychoactive substance (NPS) leads to the fluidization of the model layers, which may indicate their increased permeability. MT-45 has a greater influence on the ternary monolayers characteristic of the intestinal epithelial cells than nasal mucosa. It might be attributed to the increased attractive interactions between the components of the ternary layer, which in turn increase the interactions with a synthetic opioid. Additionally, the crystal structures of MT-45 determined by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods allowed us to both provide useful data for facilitating the identification of synthetic opioids as well as to attribute the effect of MT-45 to the ionic interactions between protonated nitrogen atoms and negatively charged parts of the polar heads of the lipids.
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New Psychoactive Substances: Major Groups, Laboratory Testing Challenges, Public Health Concerns, and Community-Based Solutions. J CHEM-NY 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/5852315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Across communities worldwide, various new psychoactive substances (NPSs) continue to emerge, which worsens the challenges to global mental health, drug rules, and public health risks, as well as combats their usage. Specifically, the vast number of NPSs that are currently available, coupled with the rate at which new ones emerge worldwide, increasingly challenges both forensic and clinical testing strategies. The well-established NPS detection techniques include immunoassays, colorimetric tests, mass spectrometric techniques, chromatographic techniques, and hyphenated types. Nonetheless, mitigating drug abuse and NPS usage is achievable through extensive community-based initiatives, with increased focus on harm reduction. Clinically validated and reliable testing of NPS from human samples, along with community-driven solution, such as harm reduction, will be of great importance, especially in combating their prevalence and the use of other illicit synthetic substances. There is a need for continued literature synthesis to reiterate the importance of NPS, given the continuous emergence of illicit substances in the recent years. All these are discussed in this overview, as we performed another look into NPS, from differentiating the major groups and identifying with laboratory testing challenges to community-based initiatives.
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Jurásek B, Rimpelová S, Babor M, Čejka J, Bartůněk V, Kuchař M. Intriguing Cytotoxicity of the Street Dissociative Anesthetic Methoxphenidine: Unexpected Impurities Spotted. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042083. [PMID: 35216198 PMCID: PMC8879332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The black market for new psychoactive substances has been constantly evolving and the substances that appear on this market cause a considerable number of issues, in extreme cases leading to human deaths. While monitoring the drug black market, we detected a sample of a dissociative anesthetic methoxphenidine, the salt of which contained an unusual anion in the form of bromo- and chloro-zincate complex. Concerning the unknown and potentially hazardous properties of this sample, we performed an in vitro cytotoxicity screening in cell lines of various origins (e.g., kidney, liver, bladder) which was compared with the toxicity results of the methoxphenidine standard prepared for this purpose. The street methoxphenidine sample exhibited markedly higher toxicity than the standard, which was probably caused by the anion impurity. Since it is not usual to analyze anions in salts of novel psychoactive substances, but such samples may be commonly available at the drug black market, we have developed a method for their identification with X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), which also enabled us to distinguish between different polymorphs/solvates of methoxphenidine that were crystallized in the laboratory. XRPD offers additional data about samples, which may not be discovered by routine techniques, and in some cases, they may help to find out essential information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronislav Jurásek
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Silvie Rimpelová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (M.K.)
| | - Martin Babor
- Department of Solid State Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (J.Č.)
| | - Jan Čejka
- Department of Solid State Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.B.); (J.Č.)
| | - Vilém Bartůněk
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (M.K.)
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Comprehensive analytical and structural characteristics of methyl 3,3-dimethyl-2-(1-(pent-4-en-1-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)butanoate (MDMB-4en-PINACA). Forensic Toxicol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-021-00573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to evaluate a complete analytical and structural characterization of methyl 3,3-dimethyl-2-(1-(pent-4-en-1-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)butanoate (MDMB-4en-PINACA), a novel synthetic cannabinoid being the analogue of 5F-ADB.
Methods
The compound was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. To derive MDMB-4en-PINACA molecular geometry and to assign infrared absorption bands, quantum calculations with the employment of density functional theory were also used.
Results
We present a wide range of chromatographic and spectroscopic data supported with theoretical calculations allowing to identify MDMB-4en-PINACA.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first report presenting a comprehensive analytical and structural characterization of MDMB-4en-PINACA obtained by 1D and 2D NMR, GC–MS, LC–MS(/MS), attenuated total reflection-FTIR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. The presented results not only broaden the knowledge about this psychoactive substance but also are useful for forensic and clinical purposes.
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Tcharkhetian AEG, Bruni AT, Rodrigues CHP. Combining experimental and theoretical approaches to study the structural and spectroscopic properties of Flakka (α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone). RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2021.100254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Nienałtowski T, Krzesiński P, Baumert ME, Skoczeń A, Suska-Kauf E, Pawłowska J, Kajetanowicz A, Grela K. 4-Methyltetrahydropyran as a Convenient Alternative Solvent for Olefin Metathesis Reaction: Model Studies and Medicinal Chemistry Applications. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2020; 8:18215-18223. [PMID: 33344098 PMCID: PMC7739489 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c06668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A number of metathesis reactions were successfully conducted in 4-methyltetrahydropyran, including both standard model dienes, as well as more complex substrates, such as analogues of biologically active compounds and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To place this solvent in a context of pharmaceutical R + D, larger-scale syntheses of SUAM 1221, a prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor with potential application in Alzheimer disease treatment, and a derivative of sildenafil, an analogue of the popular Viagra drug, were executed. In the latter case, despite all the setup being made in air, the metathesis reaction at a 33 g scale proceeded very well with relatively low catalyst loading and without need of aqueous workup or column chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Nienałtowski
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Pharmaceutical
Works Polpharma SA, Pelplińska 19, 83-200 Starogard Gdański, Poland
| | - Paweł Krzesiński
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcel E. Baumert
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Skoczeń
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Suska-Kauf
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Pawłowska
- Pharmaceutical
Works Polpharma SA, Pelplińska 19, 83-200 Starogard Gdański, Poland
| | - Anna Kajetanowicz
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karol Grela
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
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