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Richter MJ, Wagmann L, Kavanagh PV, Brandt SD, Meyer MR. In vitro metabolic fate of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (quinolin-8-yl 4-methyl-3-(morpholine-4-sulfonyl)benzoate [QMMSB]) and (quinolin-8-yl 4-methyl-3-((propan-2-yl)sulfamoyl)benzoate [QMiPSB]) including isozyme mapping and carboxylesterases activity testing. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:181-191. [PMID: 36239626 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3385] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) (quinolin-8-yl 4-methyl-3-(morpholine-4-sulfonyl)benzoate [QMMSB]) and (quinolin-8-yl 4-methyl-3-((propan-2-yl)sulfamoyl)benzoate [QMiPSB], also known as SGT-46) are based on the structure of quinolin-8-yl 4-methyl-3-(piperidine-1-sulfonyl)benzoate (QMPSB) that has been identified on seized plant material in 2011. In clinical toxicology, knowledge of the metabolic fate is important for their identification in biosamples. Therefore, the aim of this study was the identification of in vitro Phase I and II metabolites of QMMSB and QMiPSB in pooled human liver S9 fraction (pHLS9) incubations for use as screening targets. In addition, the involvement of human monooxygenases and human carboxylesterases (hCES) was examined. Analyses were performed by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Ester hydrolysis was found to be an important step in the Phase I metabolism of both SCRAs, with the carboxylic acid product being found only in negative ionization mode. Monohydroxy and N-dealkyl metabolites of the ester hydrolysis products were detected as well as glucuronides. CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were involved in hydroxylation. Whereas enzymatic ester hydrolysis of QMiPSB was mainly catalyzed by hCES1 isoforms, nonenzymatic ester hydrolysis was also observed. The results suggest that ester hydrolysis products of QMMSB and QMiPSB and their glucuronides are suitable targets for toxicological screenings. The additional use of the negative ionization mode is recommended to increase detectability of analytes. Different cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes were involved in the metabolism; thus, the probability of drug-drug interactions due to CYP inhibition can be assessed as low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias J Richter
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Lea Wagmann
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Pierce V Kavanagh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Markus R Meyer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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Richter MJ, Wagmann L, Brandt SD, Meyer MR. In Vitro Metabolic Fate of the Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists 2F-QMPSB and SGT-233 Including Isozyme Mapping and Carboxylesterases Activity Testing. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 46:e198-e206. [PMID: 36083120 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinolin-8-yl 3-(4,4-difluoropiperidine-1-sulfonyl)-4-methylbenzoate (2F-QMPSB) and 3-(4,4-difluoropiperidine-1-sulfonyl)-4-methyl-N-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)benzamide (SGT-233) belong to a new group of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists containing a sulfamoyl benzoate or sulfamoyl benzamide core structure. 2F-QMPSB was identified in herbal material seized in Europe in 2018. The aims of this study were the identification of in vitro Phase I and II metabolites of 2F-QMPSB and SGT-233 to find analytical targets for toxicological screenings. Furthermore, the contribution of different monooxygenases and human carboxylesterases to Phase I metabolism was investigated. Liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was used for analysis. Ester hydrolysis was found to be an important step in the metabolism of 2F-QMPSB, which was catalyzed mainly by human carboxylesterases (hCES)1 isoforms. Additionally, nonenzymatic ester hydrolysis was observed in case of 2F-QMPSB. Notably, the carboxylic acid product derived from ester hydrolysis and metabolites thereof were only detectable in negative ionization mode. In case of SGT-233, mono- and dihydroxy metabolites were identified, as well as glucuronides. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 were found to be involved in the hydroxylation of both compounds. The results of these in vitro experiments suggest that the ester hydrolysis products of 2F-QMPSB and their glucuronides are suitable targets for toxicological screenings. In the case of SGT-233, the mono- and dihydroxy metabolites were identified as suitable screening targets. The involvement of various CYP isoforms in the metabolism of both substances reduces the likelihood of drug-drug interactions due to CYP inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias J Richter
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Kirrbergerstr. / Geb. 46, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Lea Wagmann
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Kirrbergerstr. / Geb. 46, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Simon D Brandt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Markus R Meyer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, Kirrbergerstr. / Geb. 46, Homburg 66421, Germany
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3
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Affiliation(s)
- David Love
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
| | - Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA,70113th Street, N.W., Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20005-3967, USA,Corresponding author. RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA.
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Pulver B, Riedel J, Westphal F, Luhn S, Schönberger T, Schäper J, Auwärter V, Luf A, Pütz M. A new synthetic cathinone: 3,4-EtPV or 3,4-Pr-PipVP? An unsuccessful attempt to circumvent the German legislation on new psychoactive substances. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:84-96. [PMID: 36136085 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3371] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones comprise psychostimulants with desired effects like euphoria, increased vigilance, appetite suppression, and-mainly depending on certain structural features-entactogenic properties. 3,4-EtPV (1-(bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-3-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one) was first mentioned in an online drug forum in September 2021, where its imminent synthesis was announced. The goal was to produce a legal alternative to the phenylethylamines already banned by the German NpSG. In February and June 2022, two samples labeled with the name and molecular structure of 3,4-EtPV were analyzed. The molecular structure of the obviously mislabeled compound was elucidated and comprehensively characterized within the ADEBAR project. The synthetic cathinone identified differed from the declared 3,4-EtPV by a 3,4-propylene bridge instead of a 3,4-ethylene bridge and a piperidine ring instead of a pyrrolidine ring. The short name 3,4-Pr-PipVP (3,4-propylene-2-(1-piperidinyl)valerophenone) was suggested as a semisystematic name in collaboration with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Herein, the results of the analyses are discussed and will enable forensic laboratories to update their databases quickly and identify 3,4-Pr-PipVP confidently. 3,4-Pr-PipVP is already scheduled under the German NpSG. This study highlights that there are ongoing efforts to deliberately circumvent generic definitions given, for example, in the German NpSG and that (unintentional?) mislabeling can be an issue. The end user purchasing substances online can never be sure that the material actually supplied will be the one ordered, and he might receive an illicit drug instead of an uncontrolled one. Furthermore, the purity is always unknown, creating health risks due to unexpected effects and potencies.
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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.,Hermann Staudinger Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Riedel
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Folker Westphal
- State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Schleswig-Holstein, Forensic Science Institute, Kiel, Germany
| | - Steven Luhn
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Torsten Schönberger
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Jan Schäper
- Bavarian State Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anton Luf
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Pütz
- Federal Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany
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Castaing-Cordier T, Benavides Restrepo A, Dubois D, Ladroue V, Besacier F, Buleté A, Charvoz C, Goupille A, Jacquemin D, Giraudeau P, Farjon J. Characterization of new psychoactive substances by integrating benchtop NMR to multi-technique databases. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1629-1638. [PMID: 35687356 PMCID: PMC9545896 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a serious threat for public health due to their ability to be sold in the street or on internet. NPS are either derived from commercial drugs which are misused (recreational rather than medical use) or whose structure is slightly modified. To regulate NPS, it is essential to accurately characterize them, either to recognize molecules that were previously identified or to quickly elucidate the structure of unknown ones. Most approaches rely on the determination of the exact mass obtained by high‐resolution mass spectrometry requiring expensive equipment. This motivated us to develop a workflow in which the elucidation is assisted with databases and does not need the exact mass. This workflow combines 1D and 2D NMR measurements performed on a benchtop spectrometer with IR spectroscopy, for creating a multi‐technique database to characterize pure and mixed NPS. The experimental database was created with 57 entries mostly coming from seizures, mainly cathinones, cannabinoids, amphetamines, arylcyclohexylamines, and fentanyl. A blind validation of the workflow was carried out on a set of six unknown seizures. In the first three cases, AF, AB‐FUBINACA, and a mixture of 2C‐I and 2C‐E could be straightforwardly identified with the help of their reference spectra in the database. The two next samples were elucidated for the first time with the help of the database to reveal NEK and MPHP substances. Finally, a precise quantification of each characterized NPS was obtained in order to track NPS trafficking networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Damien Dubois
- Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, Service National de Police Scientifique, Ecully, France
| | - Virginie Ladroue
- Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, Service National de Police Scientifique, Ecully, France
| | - Fabrice Besacier
- Sous-direction de la stratégie de l'innovation et du pilotage, Service National de Police Scientifique, Ecully, France
| | - Audrey Buleté
- Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, Service National de Police Scientifique, Ecully, France
| | - Céline Charvoz
- Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, Service National de Police Scientifique, Ecully, France
| | - Anais Goupille
- Nantes Université, CNRS, CEISAM, UMR 6230, Nantes, France
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Fabregat-Safont D, Mata-Pesquera M, Barneo-Muñoz M, Martinez-Garcia F, Mardal M, Davidsen AB, Sancho JV, Hernández F, Ibáñez M. In-depth comparison of the metabolic and pharmacokinetic behaviour of the structurally related synthetic cannabinoids AMB-FUBINACA and AMB-CHMICA in rats. Commun Biol 2022; 5:161. [PMID: 35210552 PMCID: PMC8873228 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids receptor agonists (SCRAs) are often almost completely metabolised, and hence their pharmacokinetics should be carefully evaluated for determining the most adequate biomarker in toxicological analysis. Two structurally related SCRAs, AMB-FUBINACA and AMB-CHMICA, were selected to evaluate their in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetics using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Brain, liver, kidney, blood (serum) and urine samples were collected at different times to assess the differences in metabolism, metabolic reactions, tissue distribution and excretion. Both compounds experimented O-demethyl reaction, which occurred more rapidly for AMB-FUBINACA. The parent compounds and O-demethyl metabolites were highly bioaccumulated in liver, and were still detected in this tissue 48 h after injection. The different indazole/indole N-functionalisation produced diverse metabolic reactions in this moiety and thus, different urinary metabolites were formed. Out of the two compounds, AMB-FUBINACA seemed to easily cross the blood-brain barrier, presenting higher brain/serum concentrations ratio than AMB-CHMICA. Synthetic cannabinoids are amongst the most widely used psychoactive drugs which are tightly controlled by government agencies around the world. Here, pharmacokinetics of two synthetic cannabinoids in rats are evaluated along with their metabolites and tissue distribution, aiding in identifying distinct biomarkers that reflect the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids based on the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fabregat-Safont
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - María Mata-Pesquera
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Manuela Barneo-Muñoz
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional NeuroFun-UVEG-UJI, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Ferran Martinez-Garcia
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Unitat Mixta de Neuroanatomia Funcional NeuroFun-UVEG-UJI, University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | - Marie Mardal
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders B Davidsen
- Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - María Ibáñez
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain.
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Alam RM, Keating JJ. "Walking the nitrogen around the ring": Chemical synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of novel 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-azaindazole analogs of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-PINACA. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:277-297. [PMID: 34654062 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3180] [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: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) have rapidly evolved to encompass a wide range of structurally diverse new psychoactive substances (NPS), including derivatives that incorporate indole, indazole, 7-azaindole, γ-carbolinone, or carbazole heterocyclic scaffolds. The introduction of legislative measures seeking to control the availability of NPS on the recreational drug scene has likely contributed to the continued emergence of novel SCRA analogs, which often evade regulatory control. However, the detection and/or identification of azaindazole-type SCRAs in seized material has not yet been reported (September, 2021). It is plausible that SCRAs bearing a 1,3-disubstituted azaindazole scaffold may possess cannabimimetic activity, given their structural similarity with known indole, indazole, and azaindole SCRAs. In view of these antecedents, a set of four novel isomeric 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-azaindazole analogs of the known potent indazole SCRA, MDMB-PINACA, were synthesized using a Pd-catalyzed aminocarbonylation strategy. The complementary use of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has permitted the spectroscopic differentiation, unambiguous structural assignment, and rapid separation of novel isomeric 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-azaindazole analogs of the indazole SCRA, MDMB-PINACA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Alam
- Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility (ABCRF), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John J Keating
- Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility (ABCRF), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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