1
|
Jorbenadze S, Khatiashvili T, Giunashvili L, Tchelidze A, Lo Faro AF, Pichini S, Farré M, Papaseit E, Nuñez-Montero M, Carlier J, Farkas T, Busardo FP, Chankvetadze B. Challenges encountered in the enantioselective analysis of new psychoactive substances exemplified by clephedrone (4-CMC). J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 248:116275. [PMID: 38959760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116275] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
In this study we report on efforts to develop an enantioselective method for the detection of the drug of abuse clephedrone (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-1-propanone (4-chloromethcathinone, also known as 4-CMC or para-chloro-methcathinone)) and its phase-1 metabolites in human biological fluids. The major goal is not to only report results, but primarily to emphasize the various challenges encountered when developing a reliable analytical method for the detection and quantification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and their metabolites in the matrix of interest. Such challenges start with the lack of chemical stability of some NPS in biological matrices. Additionally, most often metabolites are unavailable in pure form to serve as analytical standards, just as deuterated standards for native drugs and metabolites are frequently not commercially available. Furthermore, if the NPS is chiral, enantiomerically pure standards with known absolute stereochemistry are required, as well as a stereochemical stability of a drug and its metabolites becomes an issue. In addition, the chirality of a NPS significantly increases the number of species to be detected in the sample and thus challenges the development of an adequate separation method. These issues are shortly addressed, and some solutions offered in this manuscript.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saba Jorbenadze
- Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University, I. Chavchavadze Ave 1, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
| | - Tamar Khatiashvili
- Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University, I. Chavchavadze Ave 1, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia; Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Lasha Giunashvili
- Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University, I. Chavchavadze Ave 1, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
| | - Aluda Tchelidze
- Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University, I. Chavchavadze Ave 1, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
| | - Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Magi Farré
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelelona, Carretera de Canyet s/n, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelelona, Carretera de Canyet s/n, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Melani Nuñez-Montero
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelelona, Carretera de Canyet s/n, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Jeremy Carlier
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Tivadar Farkas
- Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University, I. Chavchavadze Ave 1, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardo
- Department of Excellence-Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60121, Italy.
| | - Bezhan Chankvetadze
- Institute of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University, I. Chavchavadze Ave 1, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gundersen POM, Pasin D, Slørdal L, Spigset O, Josefsson M. Retrospective screening of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in post mortem samples from 2014 to 2021. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 361:112131. [PMID: 38981414 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112131] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Systematic retrospective processing of previously analysed biological samples has been proven to be a valuable tool in the search for new drugs (e.g. new psychoactive substances (NPS)) and for quality assessment in clinical and forensic toxicology. In a previous study, we developed a strategy for retrospective data-analysis using a personalized library of synthetic cannabinoids, designer benzodiazepines and synthetic opioids obtained from the crowdsourced database HighResNPS (https://highresnps.com). In this study, the same strategy was employed for the compounds within the groups of NPS that were not previously included such as synthetic cathinones, phenethylamines, aminoindanes, arylalkylamines, piperazine derivates, piperidines, pyrrolidines, indolalkylamines and arylcyclohexylamines. Synthetic opioids and designer benzodiazepines, which were not part of the previous study, were also included. To enhance the effectiveness of the retrospective analysis, a predicted retention time was included for all entries. Data files from the analysis of 2186 forensic post mortem samples with an Agilent Technologies 6540 ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) performed in the laboratory from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively processed with the up-to-date library. Tentative findings were classified in two groups: The findings where MS/MS data was acquired for library match (category 1) and the less certain findings where such data lacked (category 2). Five compounds of category 1 (three synthetic cathinones and two indolalkylamines) were identified in 12 samples. Only one of the findings, 4-MEAPP (4-methyl-α-ethylaminopentiophenone), was deemed plausible after reviewing case information. As many as 501 presumably positive category 2 findings were detected. Using the predicted retention time as an additional criterion the number was significantly reduced but still too high for a manual review. This work has demonstrated that the strategy developed in the previous study can be applied to other NPS groups. However, it is important to note the limitations such a method may have in detecting compounds at very low concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Per Ole M Gundersen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Daniel Pasin
- Forensic Laboratory Division, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, San Francisco, CA 94124, United States
| | - Lars Slørdal
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Olav Spigset
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Martin Josefsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; National Forensic Centre, Drug Unit, Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Berardinelli D, Taoussi O, Daziani G, Tavoletta F, Ricci G, Tronconi LP, Adamowicz P, Busardò FP, Carlier J. 3-CMC, 4-CMC, and 4-BMC Human Metabolic Profiling: New Major Pathways to Document Consumption of Methcathinone Analogues? AAPS J 2024; 26:70. [PMID: 38862871 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-024-00940-8] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones represent one of the largest and most abused new psychoactive substance classes, and have been involved in numerous intoxications and fatalities worldwide. Methcathinone analogues like 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC), 3-chloromethcathinone (3-CMC), and 4-CMC currently constitute most of synthetic cathinone seizures in Europe. Documenting their consumption in clinical/forensic casework is therefore essential to tackle this trend. Targeting metabolite markers is a go-to to document consumption in analytical toxicology, and metabolite profiling is crucial to support investigations. We sought to identify 3-CMC, 4-CMC, and 4-bromomethcathinone (4-BMC) human metabolites. The substances were incubated with human hepatocytes; incubates were screened by liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry and data were mined with Compound Discoverer (Themo Scientific). 3-CMC-positive blood, urine, and oral fluid and 4-CMC-positive urine and saliva from clinical/forensic casework were analyzed. Analyses were supported by metabolite predictions with GLORYx freeware. Twelve, ten, and ten metabolites were identified for 3-CMC, 4-CMC, and 4-BMC, respectively, with similar transformations occurring for the three cathinones. Major reactions included ketoreduction and N-demethylation. Surprisingly, predominant metabolites were produced by combination of N-demethylation and ω-carboxylation (main metabolite in 3-CMC-positive urine), and combination of β-ketoreduction, oxidative deamination, and O-glucuronidation (main metabolite in 4-CMC-positive urine). These latter metabolites were detected in negative-ionization mode only and their non-conjugated form was not detected after glucuronide hydrolysis; this metabolic pathway was never reported for any methcathinone analogue susceptible to undergo the same transformations. These results support the need for comprehensive screening strategies in metabolite identification studies, to avoid overlooking significant metabolites and major markers of consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Berardinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Omayema Taoussi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gloria Daziani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Tavoletta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanna Ricci
- School of Law, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Livio P Tronconi
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, Cotignola, Italy
| | | | - Francesco P Busardò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Jeremy Carlier
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jurowski K, Niżnik Ł. Toxicity of the New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) Clephedrone (4-Chloromethcathinone, 4-CMC): Prediction of Toxicity Using In Silico Methods for Clinical and Forensic Purposes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5867. [PMID: 38892053 PMCID: PMC11173054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115867] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This study reports the first application of in silico methods to assess the toxicity of 4-chloromethcathinone (4-CMC), a novel psychoactive substance (NPS). Employing advanced toxicology in silico tools, it was possible to predict crucial aspects of the toxicological profile of 4-CMC, including acute toxicity (LD50), genotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and its potential for endocrine disruption. The obtained results indicate significant acute toxicity with species-specific variability, moderate genotoxic potential suggesting the risk of DNA damage, and a notable cardiotoxicity risk associated with hERG channel inhibition. Endocrine disruption assessment revealed a low probability of 4-CMC interacting with estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), suggesting minimal estrogenic activity. These insights, derived from in silico studies, are critical in advancing the understanding of 4-CMC properties in forensic and clinical toxicology. These initial toxicological findings provide a foundation for future research and aid in the formulation of risk assessment and management strategies in the context of the use and abuse of NPSs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Jurowski
- Laboratory of Innovative Toxicological Research and Analyses, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College, Rzeszów University, Al. mjr. W. Kopisto 2a, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
- Department of Regulatory and Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Medical Expertise, Łódź, ul. Aleksandrowska 67/93, 91-205 Łódź, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Niżnik
- Department of Regulatory and Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Medical Expertise, Łódź, ul. Aleksandrowska 67/93, 91-205 Łódź, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Massano M, Nuñez-Montero M, Papaseit E, Hladun O, Pérez-Maña C, Ventura M, Marchei E, Alladio E, Gerace E, Pichini S, Farrè M, Salomone A. Metabolic profile of N-ethylhexedrone, N-ethylpentedrone, and 4-chloromethcathinone in urine samples by UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 241:115994. [PMID: 38309098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.115994] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Forensic laboratories are constantly required to identify new drugs and their metabolites. N-ethylhexedrone (NEH, HEXEN), N-Ethylpentedrone (NEP), and 4-Chloromethcathinone (4-CMC, clephedrone) are synthetic substances structurally related to natural cathinone, alkaloid present in the leaves of the Catha edulis (Khat) plant. These synthetic cathinones (SC) are members of the heterogenous family of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that raised major concerns in scientific and forensic communities over the past years due to their widespread consumption. In this context, we investigated their metabolic profile using of UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS to elucidate the distribution of the parent drug and its metabolites in urine samples over time. Initially, both male and female volunteers were divided into three groups and eight subjects of each group were administered intranasally or orally with one SC (20-40 mg of NEH or NEP intranasal, 100-150 mg of 4-CMC oral). Urine samples were collected at 0-2 and 2-4 or 2-5 h. Urine (50 μL) was diluted 1:2 with acetonitrile/methanol (95:5) and injected into the UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS. Phase-I and phase-II metabolites were identified on the basis of fragmentation patterns and exact masses. Several phase-I and glucuronide-phase-II metabolites were identified in urine samples. Keto group reduction, hydroxylation and dealkylation were the common metabolic pathways identified for all cathinones and the presence of NEH-glucuronide, NEP-glucuronide and 4-CMC-glucuronide was also relevant. Significant is the slower metabolite formation for 4-CMC, which was detected at high concentrations in its original form even 5 h after administration, due to its long half-life and low intrinsic clearance compared to the other SCs. UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS demonstrated a considerable capability to semi-quantify the three synthetic cathinones and identify the target metabolites with high reliability. The introduction of new target compounds improves the efficiency of toxicological screening analysis on real samples and extends the window of detection of the SCs in biological matrices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Massano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano, TO, Italy.
| | - Melani Nuñez-Montero
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Papaseit
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Hladun
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Pérez-Maña
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilia Marchei
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Alladio
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | | | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Magi Farrè
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP-IGTP) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pulver B, Fischmann S, Gallegos A, Christie R. EMCDDA framework and practical guidance for naming cathinones. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38389255 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Cathinones are often sold as "legal" alternatives to controlled stimulants such as amphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. Cathinones are the second largest group of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with close to 170 monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Although all cathinones are related to the parent compound cathinone, one of the psychoactive principles in khat, assigning consistent, informative and user-friendly common names to these substances is challenging. Over time different naming approaches have been applied, leading to cathinones being known by several names. This work provides a framework and practical examples for the consistent naming of cathinones which is easy to understand and can be applied by the forensic community, researchers, clinical practitioners, and policy makers. The scope of the issue and rationale for earlier naming approaches are also discussed. The new naming framework has been developed based on established naming approaches and centered around the common "cathinone," and "phenone" motifs/scaffolds. The proposed framework establishes clear rules to derive the EMCDDA framework names for cathinones. Each name is, in turn, composed by a principal name containing a parent letter, derived after the "cathinone" or the "phenone" scaffold. Additional substitutions are prepended to the principal name. The framework also provides for exceptions for several cathinones and structural analogs scheduled under UN and EU legislation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Pulver
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Svenja Fischmann
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ana Gallegos
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rachel Christie
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|