1
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Albano GD, Malta G, La Spina C, Rifiorito A, Provenzano V, Triolo V, Vaiano F, Bertol E, Zerbo S, Argo A. Toxicological Findings of Self-Poisoning Suicidal Deaths: A Systematic Review by Countries. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110654. [PMID: 36355945 PMCID: PMC9698482 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of illicit and non-illicit substances is widespread in suicides. The toxicological data may help in understanding the mechanism of death. This systematic review aimed to analyze autopsies related to suicides by consuming poison, focusing on the correlation between substance use and the country of origin to create an alarm bell to indicate that suicide maybe attempted and prevent it. The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, with the primary objective of identifying autopsies conducted in cases of suicide by consuming poison in specific geographic areas. Significant differences in substances were observed between low-income and Western countries that confirm previous literature data. In rural areas and Asian countries, most suicides by consuming poison involve the use of pesticides, such as organophosphates and carbamates. In Western countries, illicit drugs and medically prescribed drugs are the leading cause of suicide by self-poisoning. Future research should shed light on the correlation between social, medical, and demographic characteristics and the autopsy findings in suicides by self-poisoning to highlight the risk factors and implement tailored prevention programs worldwide. Performing a complete autopsy on a suspected suicide by self-poisoning could be essential in supporting worldwide public health measures and policy makers. Therefore, complete autopsies in such cases must be vigorously promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Davide Albano
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3312264328
| | - Ginevra Malta
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Corinne La Spina
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Arianna Rifiorito
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Provenzano
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Triolo
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Vaiano
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bertol
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Zerbo
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonina Argo
- PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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2
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The Clinical Presentations of Nitrous Oxide Users in an Emergency Department. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10030112. [PMID: 35324737 PMCID: PMC8950993 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10030112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Today, the concomitant abuse of nitrous oxide (N2O) and illicit drugs is evident and problematic. However, there are few reports regarding the clinical manifestations of N2O users when they present to the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentations, the associated illicit substances used in combination, and the outcomes in N2O users visiting the ED. This was a retrospective observational cohort study. All N2O adult users admitted to the ED at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2012 and 2020 were included. Demographic variables, clinical symptoms, and examination results were collected from medical records. Univariate comparisons were conducted between pure N2O users and combined illicit drug users. A total of 40 patients were included, 24 of which were pure N2O users. Limb weakness and numbness accounted for the majority of chief complaints. Neurologic symptoms were the most common clinical manifestations (90%). A more severe ED triage level, faster heart rate, greater agitation, and cardiovascular symptoms were significantly noted in combined illicit drug users. In ED, limb numbness/weakness should arouse physicians’ awareness of patients using N2O. Combined use of N2O and illicit drugs can cause great harm to health.
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3
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Orazietti V, Basile G, Giorgetti R, Giorgetti A. Effects of synthetic cannabinoids on psychomotor, sensory and cognitive functions relevant for safe driving. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:998828. [PMID: 36226105 PMCID: PMC9548613 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.998828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recreational use of Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCs), one of the largest groups of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), has increased globally over the past few years. Driving is a structured process requiring the cooperation of several cognitive and psychomotor functions, organized in different levels of complexity. Each of these functions can be affected when Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of SCs. In order to reduce the likelihood of SC-related road accidents, it is essential to understand which areas of psychomotor performance are most affected by these substances, as well as the severity of impairment. For this purpose, a multiple database- literature review of recent experimental studies in humans and animals regarding the psychomotor effects of SCs has been performed. Despite the many limitations connected to experimental studies on humans, results showed a consistency between animal and human data. SCs appear to impair psychomotor performance in humans, affecting different domains related to safe driving even at low doses. Cases of DUI of SC have been repeatedly reported, although the exact prevalence is likely to be underestimated due to current analytical and interpretative issues. For this reason, an accurate physical examination performed by trained and experienced personnel has a primary role in recognizing signs of impairment in case of strong suspicion of SC consumption. The identification of a suspected case should be followed by reliable laboratory examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Orazietti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Basile
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Galeazzi Orthopedics Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy.,Unit of Legal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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4
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Dei Cas M, Casagni E, Casiraghi A, Minghetti P, Fornasari DMM, Ferri F, Arnoldi S, Gambaro V, Roda G. Phytocannabinoids Profile in Medicinal Cannabis Oils: The Impact of Plant Varieties and Preparation Methods. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:570616. [PMID: 33364946 PMCID: PMC7751640 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.570616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is a highly promising medicinal plant with well-documented effectiveness and growing use in the treatment of various medical conditions. Cannabis oils are mostly used in galenic preparations, due to their easy adjustment of the administration dose, together with the enhanced bioavailability of its active compounds. As stated by the Italian Law (9/11/2015, 279 Official Gazette), “to ensure the quality of the oil-based cannabis preparation, the titration of the active substance(s) should be carried out.” This study aims to represent the Italian panorama of cannabis oils, which were analyzed (8,201) to determine their cannabinoids content from 2017 to 2019. After application of the exclusion criteria, 4,774 standardized cannabis oils were included, which belong to different medicinal cannabis varieties and prepared according to different extraction methods. The concentration of the principal cannabinoids was taken into account dividing samples on the basis of the main extraction procedures and cannabis varieties. According to this analysis, the most substantial variations should be attributed to different cannabis varieties rather than to their extraction protocols. This study may be the starting point of preparatory pharmacists to assess the correct implementation of the preparation procedures and the quality of the extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Dei Cas
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Casagni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Casiraghi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Minghetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Ferri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Arnoldi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veniero Gambaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Roda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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5
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Brancato A, Castelli V, Lavanco G, Cannizzaro C. Environmental Enrichment During Adolescence Mitigates Cognitive Deficits and Alcohol Vulnerability due to Continuous and Intermittent Perinatal Alcohol Exposure in Adult Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:583122. [PMID: 33100982 PMCID: PMC7546794 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.583122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Perinatal alcohol exposure affects ontogenic neurodevelopment, causing physical and functional long-term abnormalities with limited treatment options. This study investigated long-term consequences of continuous and intermittent maternal alcohol drinking on behavioral readouts of cognitive function and alcohol vulnerability in the offspring. The effects of environmental enrichment (EE) during adolescence were also evaluated. Female rats underwent continuous alcohol drinking (CAD)—or intermittent alcohol drinking paradigm (IAD), along pregestation, gestation, and lactation periods—equivalent to the whole gestational period in humans. Male offspring were reared in standard conditions or EE until adulthood and were then assessed for declarative memory in the novel object recognition test; spatial learning, cognitive flexibility, and reference memory in the Morris water maze (MWM); alcohol consumption and relapse by a two-bottle choice paradigm. Our data show that perinatal CAD decreased locomotor activity, exploratory behavior, and declarative memory with respect to controls, whereas perinatal IAD displayed impaired declarative memory and spatial learning and memory. Moreover, both perinatal alcohol-exposed offspring showed higher vulnerability to alcohol consummatory behavior than controls, albeit perinatal IAD rats showed a greater alcohol consumption and relapse behavior with respect to perinatal-CAD progeny. EE ameliorated declarative memory in perinatal CAD, while it mitigated spatial learning and reference memory impairment in perinatal-IAD progeny. In addition, EE decreased vulnerability to alcohol in both control and perinatal alcohol-exposed rats. Maternal alcohol consumption produces drinking pattern-related long-term consequences on cognition and vulnerability to alcohol in the offspring. However, increased positive environmental stimuli during adolescence may curtail the detrimental effects of developmental alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Brancato
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Castelli
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- INSERM U1215, NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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6
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Brancato A, Castelli V, Lavanco G, Marino RAM, Cannizzaro C. In utero Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure confers vulnerability towards cognitive impairments and alcohol drinking in the adolescent offspring: Is there a role for neuropeptide Y? J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:663-679. [PMID: 32338122 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120916135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoid consumption during pregnancy has been increasing on the wave of the broad-based legalisation of cannabis in Western countries, raising concern about the putative detrimental outcomes on foetal neurodevelopment. Indeed, since the endocannabinoid system regulates synaptic plasticity, emotional and cognitive processes from early stages of life interfering with it and other excitability endogenous modulators, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), might contribute to the occurrence of a vulnerable phenotype later in life. AIMS This research investigated whether in utero exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may induce deficits in emotional/cognitive processes and alcohol vulnerability in adolescent offspring. NPY and excitatory postsynaptic density (PSD) machinery were measured as markers of neurobiological vulnerability. METHODS Following in utero THC exposure (2 mg/kg delivered subcutaneously), preadolescent male rat offspring were assessed for: behavioural reactivity in the open field test, neutral declarative memory and aversive limbic memory in the Novel Object and Emotional Object Recognition tests, immunofluorescence for NPY neurons and the PSD proteins Homer-1, 1b/c and 2 in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and nucleus accumbens at adolescence (cohort 1); and instrumental learning, alcohol taking, relapse and conflict behaviour in the operant chamber throughout adolescence until early adulthood (cohort 2). RESULTS In utero THC-exposed adolescent rats showed: (a) increased locomotor activity; (b) no alteration in neutral declarative memory; (c) impaired aversive limbic memory; (d) decreased NPY-positive neurons in limbic regions; (e) region-specific variations in Homer-1, 1b/c and 2 immunoreactivity; (f) decreased instrumental learning and increased alcohol drinking, relapse and conflict behaviour in the operant chamber. CONCLUSION Gestational THC impaired the formation of memory traces when integration between environmental encoding and emotional/motivational processing was required and promoted the development of alcohol-addictive behaviours. The abnormalities in NPY signalling and PSD make-up may represent the common neurobiological background, suggesting new targets for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Brancato
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother-Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Castelli
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother-Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- INSERM U1215, NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosa Anna Maria Marino
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother-Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties of Excellence 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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7
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Lin H, Zeng X, Wang Q, Li Y, Sun B, Wang Y, Wang H. Identification and imaging of indole-3-carboxamide cannabinoids in hair using matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00510-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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The role of (E)-6-chloro-3-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one in the modulation of cannabinoidergic system. A pilot study. Pharmacol Rep 2018; 70:1124-1132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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9
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Pacifici R, Pichini S, Pellegrini M, Tittarelli R, Pantano F, Mannocchi G, Rotolo MC, Busardò FP. Determination of cannabinoids in oral fluid and urine of “light cannabis” consumers: a pilot study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 57:238-243. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2018-0566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In those countries where cannabis use is still illegal, some manufacturers started producing and selling “light cannabis”: dried flowering tops containing the psychoactive principle Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at concentrations lower than 0.2% together with variable concentration of cannabidiol (CBD). We here report a pilot study on the determination of cannabinoids in the oral fluid and urine of six individuals after smoking 1 g of “light cannabis”.
Methods
On site screening for oral fluid samples was performed, as a laboratory immunoassay test for urine samples. A validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was then applied to quantify THC and CBD, independently from results of screening tests.
Results
On site screening for oral fluid samples, with a THC cut-off of 25 ng/mL gave negative results for all the individuals at different times after smoking. Similarly, negative results for urine samples screening from all the individuals were obtained. Confirmation analyses showed that oral fluid THC was in the concentration range from 2.5 to 21.5 ng/mL in the first 30 min after smoking and then values slowly decreased. CBD values were usually one order of magnitude higher than those of THC. THC-COOH, the principal urinary THC metabolite, presented the maximum urinary value of 1.8 ng/mL, while urinary CBD had a value of 15.1 ng/mL.
Conclusions
Consumers of a single 1 g dose of “light cannabis” did not result as positive in urine screening, assessing recent consumption, so that confirmation would not be required. Conversely, they might result as positive to oral fluid testing with some on-site kits, with THC cut-off lower than 25 ng/mL, at least in the first hour after smoking and hence confirmation analysis can be then required. No conclusions can be drawn of eventual chronic users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pacifici
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Simona Pichini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Manuela Pellegrini
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - Roberta Tittarelli
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Flaminia Pantano
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Giulio Mannocchi
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology (UoFT), Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Rotolo
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
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10
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Brancato A, Cavallaro A, Lavanco G, Plescia F, Cannizzaro C. Reward-related limbic memory and stimulation of the cannabinoid system: An upgrade in value attribution? J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:204-214. [PMID: 28880120 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117725683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
While a lot is known about the mechanisms promoting aversive learning, the impact of rewarding factors on memory has received comparatively less attention. This research investigates reward-related explicit memory in male rats, by taking advantage of the emotional-object recognition test. This is based on the prior association, during conditioned learning, between a rewarding experience (the encounter with a receptive female rat) and an object; afterwards rat discrimination and recognition of the 'emotional object' is recorded in the presence of a novel object, as a measure of positive limbic memory formation. Since endocannabinoids are critical for processing reward and motivation, the consequences of the stimulation of cannabinoid signalling are also assessed by the administration of WIN 55,212-2 at pre- and post-conditioning time. Our results show that rats encode the association between object and rewarding experience, form positive limbic memory of the emotional object, and retrieve this information in the face of novelty. Stimulation of the cannabinoid system at pre-conditioning time is able to strengthen reward-related explicit memory in the presence of novelty, whereas post-conditioning activation increases approach behaviour to novel stimuli. The assessment of limbic memory by the emotional-object recognition test can help unveiling the addictive and confounding properties of psychotropic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Brancato
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angela Cavallaro
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fulvio Plescia
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Cannizzaro
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro', University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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11
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Longworth M, Connor M, Banister SD, Kassiou M. Synthesis and Pharmacological Profiling of the Metabolites of Synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs APICA, STS-135, ADB-PINACA, and 5F-ADB-PINACA. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1673-1680. [PMID: 28574245 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) containing a 1-pentyl-1-H substituted indole or indazole are abused around the world and are associated with an array of serious side effects. These compounds undergo extensive phase 1 metabolism after ingestion with little understanding whether these metabolites are contributing to the cannabimimetic activity of the drugs. This work presents the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of the major metabolites of two high concern SCs; APICA and ADB-PINACA. In a fluorometric assay of membrane potential, all metabolites that did not contain a carboxylic acid functionality retained potent activity at both the CB1 (EC50 = 14-787 nM) and CB2 (EC50 = 5.5-291 nM) receptors regardless of heterocyclic core or 3-carboxamide substituent. Of note were the 5-hydroxypentyl and 4-pentanone metabolites which showed significant increases in CB2 functional selectivity. These results suggest that the metabolites of SCs potentially contribute to the overall pharmacological profile of these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell Longworth
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Mark Connor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Samuel D. Banister
- Department
of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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12
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Shi Y, Duan YH, Ji YY, Wang ZL, Wu YR, Gunosewoyo H, Xie XY, Chen JZ, Yang F, Li J, Tang J, Xie X, Yu LF. Amidoalkylindoles as Potent and Selective Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Agonists with in Vivo Efficacy in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis. J Med Chem 2017; 60:7067-7083. [PMID: 28726401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Selective CB2 agonists represent an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a variety of diseases without psychiatric side effects mediated by the CB1 receptor. We carried out a rational optimization of a black market designer drug SDB-001 that led to the identification of potent and selective CB2 agonists. A 7-methoxy or 7-methylthio substitution at the 3-amidoalkylindoles resulted in potent CB2 antagonists (27 or 28, IC50 = 16-28 nM). Replacement of the amidoalkyls from 3-position to the 2-position of the indole ring dramatically increased the agonist selectivity on the CB2 over CB1 receptor. Particularly, compound 57 displayed a potent agonist activity on the CB2 receptor (EC50 = 114-142 nM) without observable agonist or antagonist activity on the CB1 receptor. Furthermore, 57 significantly alleviated the clinical symptoms and protected the murine central nervous system from immune damage in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Shi
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yan-Hui Duan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Laboratory of Receptor-Based Bio-Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University , 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yue-Yang Ji
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Zhi-Long Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 189 Guo Shou Jing Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan-Ran Wu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hendra Gunosewoyo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University , Bentley, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Xiao-Yu Xie
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 189 Guo Shou Jing Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Process, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Laboratory of Receptor-Based Bio-Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University , 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 189 Guo Shou Jing Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li-Fang Yu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
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13
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Brancato A, Lavanco G, Cavallaro A, Plescia F, Cannizzaro C. The use of the Emotional-Object Recognition as an assay to assess learning and memory associated to an aversive stimulus in rodents. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 274:106-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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