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Xiang J, Wen D, Zhai W, Zhao J, Xiang P, Ma C, Shi Y. Metabolic characterization of 25X-NBOH and 25X-NBOMe phenethylamines based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS in human liver microsomes. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 242:116020. [PMID: 38359493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The types and quantities of new psychoactive substances synthesized based on structural modifications have increased rapidly in recent years and pose a great challenge to clinical and forensic laboratories. N-benzyl derivatives of phenethylamines, 25B-NBOH, 25E-NBOH, 25H-NBOH, and 25iP-NBOMe have begun to flow into the black market and have caused several poisoning cases and even fatal cases. The aim of this study was to avoid false negative results by detecting the parent drug and its metabolites to extend the detection window in biological matrices and provide basic data for the simultaneous determination of illegal drugs and metabolites in forensic and emergency cases. To facilitate the comparison of metabolic characteristics, we divided the four compounds into two groups of types, 25X-NBOH and 25X-NBOMe. The in vitro phase I and phase II metabolism of these four compounds was investigated by incubating 10 mg mL-1 pooled human liver microsomes with co-substrates for 180 min at 37 ℃, and then analyzing the reaction mixture using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry. In total, 70 metabolites were obtained for the four compounds. The major biotransformations were O-demethylation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, N-dehydroxybenzyl, N-demethoxybenzyl, oxidate transformation to ketone and carboxylate, glucuronidation, and their combination reactions. We recommended the major metabolites with high peak area ratio as biomarkers, B2-1 (56.61%), B2-2 (17.43%) and B6 (17.78%) for 25B-NBOH, E2-1 (42.81%), E2-2 (34.90%) and E8-2 (10.18%) for 25E-NBOH, H5 (49.28%), H2-1 (21.54%), and H1 (18.37%) for 25H-NBOH, P3-1 (10.94%), P3-2 (33.18%), P3-3 (14.85%) and P12-2 (23.00%) for 25iP-NBOMe. This is a study to evaluate their metabolic characteristics in detail. Comparative analysis of the N-benzyl derivatives of phenethylamines provided basic data for elucidating their pharmacology and toxicity. Timely analysis of the metabolic profiles of compounds with abuse potential will facilitate the early development of regulatory measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China; College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, PR China
| | - Di Wen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, PR China
| | - Wenya Zhai
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Junbo Zhao
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Chunling Ma
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei Province, PR China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Science Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China.
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Ilyin NP, Nabiullin AD, Kozlova AD, Kupriyanova OV, Shevyrin VA, Gloriozova T, Filimonov D, Lagunin A, Galstyan DS, Kolesnikova TO, Mor MS, Efimova EV, Poroikov V, Yenkoyan KB, de Abreu MS, Demin KA, Kalueff AV. Chronic Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Four Novel N-Benzyl-2-phenylethylamine Derivatives Recently Identified as "Psychoactive" in Adult Zebrafish Screens. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2006-2017. [PMID: 38683969 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Potently affecting human and animal brain and behavior, hallucinogenic drugs have recently emerged as potentially promising agents in psychopharmacotherapy. Complementing laboratory rodents, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful model organism for screening neuroactive drugs, including hallucinogens. Here, we tested four novel N-benzyl-2-phenylethylamine (NBPEA) derivatives with 2,4- and 3,4-dimethoxy substitutions in the phenethylamine moiety and the -F, -Cl, and -OCF3 substitutions in the ortho position of the phenyl ring of the N-benzyl moiety (34H-NBF, 34H-NBCl, 24H-NBOMe(F), and 34H-NBOMe(F)), assessing their behavioral and neurochemical effects following chronic 14 day treatment in adult zebrafish. While the novel tank test behavioral data indicate anxiolytic-like effects of 24H-NBOMe(F) and 34H-NBOMe(F), neurochemical analyses reveal reduced brain norepinephrine by all four drugs, and (except 34H-NBCl) - reduced dopamine and serotonin levels. We also found reduced turnover rates for all three brain monoamines but unaltered levels of their respective metabolites. Collectively, these findings further our understanding of complex central behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronically administered novel NBPEAs and highlight the potential of zebrafish as a model for preclinical screening of small psychoactive molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita P Ilyin
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Arslan D Nabiullin
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Anna D Kozlova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Olga V Kupriyanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
- Kazan State Medical University, Kazan 420012, Russia
| | - Vadim A Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Str. ,Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia
| | - Tatyana Gloriozova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya str., 10, bldg. 8 ,Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Dmitry Filimonov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya str., 10, bldg. 8 ,Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Alexey Lagunin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya str., 10, bldg. 8 ,Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - David S Galstyan
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Tatiana O Kolesnikova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Mikael S Mor
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Evgeniya V Efimova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Vladimir Poroikov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya str., 10, bldg. 8 ,Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Konstantin B Yenkoyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
- Biochemistry Department, Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 900050, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Cell Signalling, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Fabris AL, Pedersen-Bjergaard S, Øiestad EL, Rossi GN, Hallak JEC, Dos Santos RG, Costa JL, Yonamine M. Solvent-free parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction for drugs of abuse in plasma samples using LC-MS/MS. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1301:342387. [PMID: 38553114 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) is a 96-well plate setup variant of liquid-phase microextraction. Basic or acidic analytes are extracted in neutral form from the sample, through a supported liquid membrane (SLM), and into aqueous acceptor. PALME is already considered a green extraction technique, but in the current conceptual work, we sought to make it even greener by replacing the use of organic solvents with essential oils (EO). PALME was combined with LC-MS/MS for analysis of plasma samples and multiple drugs of abuse with toxicological relevance (amphetamines, phenethylamines, synthetic cathinones, designer benzodiazepines, ayahuasca alkaloids, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine). RESULTS Fourteen EO were compared to organic solvents frequently used in PALME. The EO termed smart & sassy yielded the best analyte recovery for all drugs studied and was thus selected as SLM. Then, factorial screening and Box-Behnken were employed to optimize the technique. The extraction time, concentration of base, sample volume, and percentage of trioctylamine significantly impacted analyte recovery. The optimum values were defined as 120 min, 10 mmol/L of NaOH, 150 μL, and 0%, respectively. Once optimized, validation parameters were 1-100 ng mL-1 as linear range, accuracy ±16.4%, precision >83%, 1 ng mL-1 as limit of quantitation, 0.1-0.75 ng mL-1 as limit of detection, matrix effect <20%, and recovery 20-106%. Additionally, EO purchased from different production batches were tested and achieved acceptable reproducibility. Data were in compliance with requirements set by internationally accepted validation guidelines and the applicability of the technique was proven using authentic samples. SIGNIFICANCE In this study, the use of an EO provided a solvent-free sample preparation technique suited to extract different classes of drugs of abuse from plasma samples, dismissing the use of hazardous organic solvents. The method also provided excellent sample clean-up, thus being a simple and efficient tool for toxicological applications that is in agreement with the principles of sustainable chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Luis Fabris
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Stig Pedersen-Bjergaard
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth Leere Øiestad
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068 Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway; Department of Forensic Sciences, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4459 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Giordano Novak Rossi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jaime E Cecílio Hallak
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology - Translational Medicine, Brazil
| | - Rafael Guimarães Dos Santos
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology - Translational Medicine, Brazil
| | - Jose Luiz Costa
- Campinas Poison Control Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-859, Brazil; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Yonamine
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
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Kim YJ, Kook WA, Ma SX, Lee BR, Ko YH, Kim SK, Lee Y, Lee JG, Lee S, Kim KM, Lee SY, Jang CG. The novel psychoactive substance 25E-NBOMe induces reward-related behaviors via dopamine D1 receptor signaling in male rodents. Arch Pharm Res 2024; 47:360-376. [PMID: 38551761 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-024-01491-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are new psychotropic drugs designed to evade substance regulatory policies. 25E-NBOMe (2-(4-ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine) has recently been identified as an NPS, and its recreational misuse has been reported to be rapidly increasing. However, the psychopharmacological effects and mechanisms of 25E-NBOMe have not been studied. We examined the abuse potential of 25E-NBOMe using the conditioned place preference in male mice and self-administration paradigms in male rats. Additionally, immunoblot assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and microdialysis were used to determine the molecular effects of 25E-NBOMe in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Our data demonstrated that 25E-NBOMe induces conditioned place preference, and the dopaminergic signaling in the NAc mediates these. Following 25E-NBOMe administration, expression of dopamine transporter and dopamine D1 receptor (D1DR) were enhanced in the NAc of male mice, and NAc dopamine levels were reduced in both male mice and rats. Induction of intracellular dopaminergic pathways, DARPP32, and phosphorylation of CREB in the NAc of male mice was also observed. Significantly, pharmacological blockade of D1DR or chemogenetic inhibition of D1DR-expressing medium spiny neurons in the NAc attenuated 25E-NBOMe-induced conditioned place preference in male mice. We also examined the hallucinogenic properties of 25E-NBOMe using the head twitch response test in male mice and found that this behavior was mediated by serotonin 2A receptor activity. Our findings demonstrate that D1DR signaling may govern the addictive potential of 25E-NBOMe. Moreover, our study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of substance use disorder and the improvement of controlled substance management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wun-A Kook
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi-Xun Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Ko
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyoung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Gyeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Man Kim
- Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 81186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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Karabulut S, Kaur H, Gauld JW. Uncovering Structure-Activity Relationships of Phenethylamines: Paving the Way for Innovative Mental Health Treatments. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:972-982. [PMID: 38381069 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapidly evolving psychedelic industry has garnered considerable attention due to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy's ground-breaking success in treating moderate-to-severe Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in two Phase 3 clinical trials. This has opened Pandora's box for the development of innovative therapeutic modalities. Of particular interest are the phenethylamines and their ability to inhibit monoamine transporters. In this study, we employed the quantitative structure-activity relationship methodology to develop three vigorous models for the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine through monoamine transporters. These models were thoroughly validated using various criteria, including fitting (R2DAT = 0.869, R2SERT = 0.828, and R2NET = 0.887), internal (Q2looDAT = 0.795, Q2looSERT = 0.784, and Q2looNET = 0.820), and external (RMSEextDAT = 0.373, R2extDAT = 0.831, RMSEextSERT = 0.200, R2extSERT = 0.955, RMSEextNET = 0.318, and R2extNET = 0.711) criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedat Karabulut
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Pharmala Biotech, 82 Richmond Street E, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1, Canada
| | - James W Gauld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
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Beutler BD, Shinozuka K, Tabaac BJ, Arenas A, Cherian K, Evans VD, Fasano C, Muir OS. Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). Am J Ther 2024; 31:e104-e111. [PMID: 38518267 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic agent. In the mid-20th century, it was used to augment psychoanalysis and to treat alcohol use disorder. However, LSD was banned in 1970 in part because of concerns that it could bring about or exacerbate mental illness. Its therapeutic potential remains incompletely understood. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY While uncontrolled recreational use of LSD can, in rare instances, lead to long-term psychosis, adverse events in clinical trials of LSD, such as anxiety, headache, and nausea, have almost always been mild and transient. Serious adverse events, such as intense panic, suicidal ideation, and psychosis, were reported in either none or very few of the participants. However, patient selection criteria, optimal dosing strategy, and appropriate clinical follow-up guidelines remain to be established. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES Preliminary data suggest that LSD may be effective for the management of alcohol use disorder, anxiety, and depression. In trials of LSD for treating anxiety and depression associated with life-threatening illnesses, 77% of participants demonstrate durable relief at 1 year post-treatment. Top-line data from a large-scale phase IIb trial (n = 198) indicate that 50% of participants experience remission from generalized anxiety disorder after a single 100 μg dose of LSD. According to a meta-analysis of RCTs on LSD from the mid-20th century, single-dose regimens of LSD significantly improve alcohol use disorder (P < 0.0003) with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.96. LIMITATIONS Only one large-scale clinical trial (>50 participants) has been conducted on LSD in the contemporary era of psychedelic research. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to explore potential clinical applications. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data suggest that LSD may be one of the most potent treatments for anxiety in patients both with and without a life-threatening illness. LSD may also be beneficial for treating depression and substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce D Beutler
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kenneth Shinozuka
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Burton J Tabaac
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV
- Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV
| | - Alejandro Arenas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Viviana D Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Owen S Muir
- Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and
- Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA
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Abstract
Psychedelics make up a group of psychoactive compounds that induce hallucinogenic effects by activating the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR). Clinical trials have demonstrated the traditional psychedelic substances like psilocybin as a class of rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressants. However, there is a pressing need for rationally designed 5-HT2AR agonists that possess optimal pharmacological profiles in order to fully reveal the therapeutic potential of these agonists and identify safer drug candidates devoid of hallucinogenic effects. This Perspective provides an overview of the structure-activity relationships of existing 5-HT2AR agonists based on their chemical classifications and discusses recent advancements in understanding their molecular pharmacology at a structural level. The encouraging clinical outcomes of psychedelics in depression treatment have sparked drug discovery endeavors aimed at developing novel 5-HT2AR agonists with improved subtype selectivity and signaling bias properties, which could serve as safer and potentially nonhallucinogenic antidepressants. These efforts can be significantly expedited through the utilization of structure-based methods and functional selectivity-directed screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Duan
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Dongmei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
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Wojtas A, Gołembiowska K. Molecular and Medical Aspects of Psychedelics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:241. [PMID: 38203411 PMCID: PMC10778977 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics belong to the oldest psychoactive drugs. They arouse recent interest due to their therapeutic applications in the treatment of major depressive disorder, substance use disorder, end-of-life anxiety,= and anxiety symptoms, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this review, the current state of preclinical research on the mechanism of action, neurotoxicity, and behavioral impact of psychedelics is summarized. The effect of selective 5-HT2A receptor agonists, 25I- and 25B-NBOMe, after acute and repeated administration is characterized and compared with the effects of a less selective drug, psilocybin. The data show a significant effect of NBOMes on glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurotransmission in the frontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens. The increases in extracellular levels of neurotransmitters were not dose-dependent, which most likely resulted from the stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptor and subsequent activation of the 5-HT2C receptors. This effect was also observed in the wet dog shake test and locomotor activity. Chronic administration of NBOMes elicited rapid development of tolerance, genotoxicity, and activation of microglia. Acute treatment with psilocybin affected monoaminergic and aminoacidic neurotransmitters in the frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus but not in the amygdala. Psilocybin exhibited anxiolytic properties resulting from intensification of GABAergic neurotransmission. The data indicate that NBOMes as selective 5-HT2A agonists exert a significant effect on neurotransmission and behavior of rats while also inducing oxidative DNA damage. In contrast to NBOMes, the effects induced by psilocybin suggest a broader therapeutic index of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krystyna Gołembiowska
- Unit II, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
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Pottie E, Poulie CBM, Simon IA, Harpsøe K, D’Andrea L, Komarov IV, Gloriam DE, Jensen AA, Kristensen JL, Stove CP. Structure-Activity Assessment and In-Depth Analysis of Biased Agonism in a Set of Phenylalkylamine 5-HT 2A Receptor Agonists. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2727-2742. [PMID: 37474114 PMCID: PMC10401645 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are described to have activation of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) as their main pharmacological action. Despite their relevance, the molecular mechanisms underlying the psychedelic effects induced by certain 5-HT2A agonists remain elusive. One of the proposed hypotheses is the occurrence of biased agonism, defined as the preferential activation of certain signaling pathways over others. This study comparatively monitored the efficiency of a diverse panel of 4-position-substituted (and N-benzyl-derived) phenylalkylamines to induce recruitment of β-arrestin2 (βarr2) or miniGαq to the 5-HT2A, allowing us to assess structure-activity relationships and biased agonism. All test compounds exhibited agonist properties with a relatively large range of both EC50 and Emax values. Interestingly, the lipophilicity of the 2C-X phenethylamines was correlated with their efficacy in both assays but yielded a stronger correlation in the miniGαq- than in the βarr2-assay. Molecular docking suggested that accommodation of the 4-substituent of the 2C-X analogues in a hydrophobic pocket between transmembrane helices 4 and 5 of 5-HT2A may contribute to this differential effect. Aside from previously used standard conditions (lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) as a reference agonist and a 2 h activation profile to assess a compound's activity), serotonin was included as a second reference agonist, and the compounds' activities were also assessed using the first 30 min of the activation profile. Under all assessed circumstances, the qualitative structure-activity relationships remained unchanged. Furthermore, the use of two reference agonists allowed for the estimation of both "benchmark bias" (relative to LSD) and "physiology bias" (relative to serotonin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian B. M. Poulie
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Icaro A. Simon
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Harpsøe
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura D’Andrea
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - David E. Gloriam
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders A. Jensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper L. Kristensen
- Department
of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Lee JG, Hur KH, Hwang SB, Lee S, Lee SY, Jang CG. Designer Drug, 25D-NBOMe, Has Reinforcing and Rewarding Effects through Change of a Dopaminergic Neurochemical System. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2658-2666. [PMID: 37463338 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)_ethanamine (25D-NBOMe), an analogue of the 2C family, is a newly synthesized psychoactive substance. It acts as an agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor and has a similar mechanism to that of NBOMe compounds. However, the pharmacological mechanism for its rewarding and reinforcing effects has not been revealed. In the present study, intravenous self-administration (IVSA) test and conditioned place preference (CPP) test were performed to investigate whether 25D-NBOMe has abuse potential. We also evaluated the effects of 25D-NBOMe on neurochemical changes using western blot analysis and microdialysis. The IVSA test revealed increased self-administration in 25D-NBOMe (0.03 mg/kg)-treated rats. In addition, the CPP test revealed rewarding effects in 25D-NBOMe (1 mg/kg)-treated mice. In the neurochemical studies, 25D-NBOMe treatment affected the expression of dopamine (DA) receptor D1 (DRD1), DA receptor D2 (DRD2), tyrosine hydroxylase, DA transporter (DAT), and phospho-DAT (p-DAT) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In addition, microdialysis revealed that treatment with progressively increasing doses (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) of 25D-NBOMe increased the extracellular levels of DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid in the rat NAc. Taken together, our results show the abuse potential and neurochemical changes related to addictive behavior after administration of 25D-NBOMe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Gyeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Hur
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Bin Hwang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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11
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Herian M, Świt P. 25X-NBOMe compounds - chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. A comprehensive review. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:15-33. [PMID: 37115704 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2194907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a growing number of reports have indicated a positive effect of hallucinogenic-based therapies in different neuropsychiatric disorders. However, hallucinogens belonging to the group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) may produce high toxicity. NPS, due to their multi-receptors affinity, are extremely dangerous for the human body and mental health. An example of hallucinogens that have been lately responsible for many severe intoxications and deaths are 25X-NBOMes - N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-substituted phenethylamines, synthetic compounds with strong hallucinogenic properties. 25X-NBOMes exhibit a high binding affinity to serotonin receptors but also to dopamine, adrenergic and histamine receptors. Apart from their influence on perception, many case reports point out systemic and neurological poisoning with these compounds. In humans, the most frequent side effects are tachycardia, anxiety, hypertension and seizures. Moreover, preclinical studies confirm that 25X-NBOMes cause developmental impairments, cytotoxicity, cardiovascular toxicity and changes in behavior of animals. Metabolism of NBOMes seems to be very complex and involves many metabolic pathways. This fact may explain the observed high toxicity. In addition, many analytical methods have been applied in order to identify these compounds and their metabolites. The presented review summarized the current knowledge about 25X-NBOMes, especially in the context of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Herian
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paweł Świt
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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12
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Kozell LB, Eshleman AJ, Swanson TL, Bloom SH, Wolfrum KM, Schmachtenberg JL, Olson RJ, Janowsky A, Abbas AI. Pharmacologic Activity of Substituted Tryptamines at 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A Receptor (5-HT 2AR), 5-HT 2CR, 5-HT 1AR, and Serotonin Transporter. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 385:62-75. [PMID: 36669875 PMCID: PMC10029822 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances, including synthetic substituted tryptamines, represent a potential public health threat. Additionally, some substituted tryptamines are being studied under medical guidance as potential treatments of psychiatric disorders. Characterizing the basic pharmacology of substituted tryptamines will aid in understanding differences in potential for harm or therapeutic use. Using human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C receptors (5-HT1AR, 5-HT2AR, and 5HT2CR, respectively) or the serotonin transporter (SERT), we measured affinities, potencies and efficacies of 21 substituted tryptamines. With the exception of two 4-acetoxy compounds, substituted tryptamines exhibited affinities and potencies less than one micromolar at the 5-HT2AR, the primary target for psychedelic effects. In comparison, half or more exhibited low affinities/potencies at 5-HT2CR, 5-HT1AR, and SERT. Sorting by the ratio of 5-HT2A to 5-HT2C, 5-HT1A, or SERT affinity revealed chemical determinants of selectivity. We found that although 4-substituted compounds exhibited affinities that ranged across a factor of 100, they largely exhibited high selectivity for 5-HT2ARs versus 5-HT1ARs and 5-HT2CRs. 5-substituted compounds exhibited high affinities for 5-HT1ARs, low affinities for 5-HT2CRs, and a range of affinities for 5-HT2ARs, resulting in selectivity for 5-HT2ARs versus 5-HT2CRs but not versus 5-HT1ARs. Additionally, a number of psychedelics bound to SERT, with non-ring-substituted tryptamines most consistently exhibiting binding. Interestingly, substituted tryptamines and known psychedelic standards exhibited a broad range of efficacies, which were lower as a class at 5-HT2ARs compared with 5-HT2CRs and 5-HT1ARs. Conversely, coupling efficiency/amplification ratio was highest at 5-HT2ARs in comparison with 5-HT2CRs and 5-HT1ARs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Synthetic substituted tryptamines represent both potential public health threats and potential treatments of psychiatric disorders. The substituted tryptamines tested differed in affinities, potencies, and efficacies at 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2A, 5-HT2C, and 5HT1A receptors and the serotonin transporter (SERT). Several compounds were highly selective for and coupled very efficiently downstream of 5-HT2A versus 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors, and some bound SERT. This basic pharmacology of substituted tryptamines helps us understand the pharmacologic basis of their potential for harm and as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B Kozell
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Amy J Eshleman
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Tracy L Swanson
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Shelley H Bloom
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Katherine M Wolfrum
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jennifer L Schmachtenberg
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Randall J Olson
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Aaron Janowsky
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Atheir I Abbas
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Departments of Psychiatry (L.B.K., A.J.E., T.L.S., A.J., A.I.A.) and Behavioral Neuroscience (L.B.K., R.J.O., A.I.A.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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13
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Syrová K, Šíchová K, Danda H, Lhotková E, Jorratt P, Pinterová-Leca N, Vejmola Č, Olejníková-Ladislavová L, Hájková K, Kuchař M, Horáček J, Páleníček T. Acute pharmacological profile of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe in male Wistar rats—pharmacokinetics, effects on behaviour and thermoregulation. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1120419. [PMID: 36969854 PMCID: PMC10033663 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1120419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction:N-2-methoxy-benzylated (“NBOMe”) analogues of phenethylamine are a group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) with reported strong psychedelic effects in sub-milligram doses linked to a number of severe intoxications, including fatal ones. In our present work, we provide a detailed investigation of pharmacokinetics and acute behavioural effects of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe (2-(8-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo [1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran-4-yl)-N-[(2-methoxybenzyl]ethan-1-amine), an analogue of popular psychedelic entactogen 2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine).Methods: All experiments were conducted on adult male Wistar rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe (1 mg/kg subcutaneously; s. c.) in blood serum and brain tissue were analysed over 24 h using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). For examination of behavioural parameters in open field test (OFT) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle reaction (ASR), 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe (0.2, 1 and 5 mg/kg s. c.) was administered in two temporal onsets: 15 and 60 min after administration. Thermoregulatory changes were evaluated in individually and group-housed animals over 8 h following the highest dose used in behavioural experiments (5 mg/kg s. c.).Results: Peak drug concentrations were detected 30 and 60 min after the drug application in serum (28 ng/ml) and brain tissue (171 ng/g), respectively. The parental compound was still present in the brain 8 h after administration. Locomotor activity was dose-dependently reduced by the drug in both temporal testing onsets. ASR was also strongly disrupted in both temporal onsets, drug’s effect on PPI was weaker. 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe did not cause any significant thermoregulatory changes.Discussion: Our results suggest that 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe penetrates animal brain tissue in a relatively slow manner, induces significant inhibitory effects on motor performance, and attenuates sensorimotor gating. Its overall profile is similar to closely related analogue 2C-B and other NBOMe substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Syrová
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Klára Šíchová
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Hynek Danda
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Lhotková
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pascal Jorratt
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Nikola Pinterová-Leca
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Čestmír Vejmola
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lucie Olejníková-Ladislavová
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Kateřina Hájková
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Tomáš Páleníček, ; Martin Kuchař,
| | - Jiří Horáček
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Tomáš Páleníček, ; Martin Kuchař,
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Deventer MH, Persson M, Laus A, Pottie E, Cannaert A, Tocco G, Gréen H, Stove CP. Off-target activity of NBOMes and NBOMe analogs at the µ opioid receptor. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1367-1384. [PMID: 36853332 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are introduced on the illicit drug market at a rapid pace. Their molecular targets are often inadequately elucidated, which contributes to the delayed characterization of their pharmacological effects. Inspired by earlier findings, this study set out to investigate the µ opioid receptor (MOR) activation potential of a large set of psychedelics, substances which typically activate the serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor as their target receptor. We observed that some substances carrying the N-benzyl phenethylamine (NBOMe) structure activated MOR, as confirmed by both the NanoBiT® βarr2 recruitment assay and the G protein-based AequoScreen® Ca2+ release assay. The use of two orthogonal systems proved beneficial as some aspecific, receptor independent effects were found for various analogs when using the Ca2+ release assay. The specific 'off-target' effects at MOR could be blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone, suggesting that these NBOMes occupy the same common opioid binding pocket as conventional opioids. This was corroborated by molecular docking, which revealed the plausibility of multiple interactions of 25I-NBOMe with MOR, similar to those observed for opioids. Additionally, structure-activity relationship findings seen in vitro were rationalized in silico for two 25I-NBOMe isomers. Overall, as MOR activity of these psychedelics was only noticed at high concentrations, we consider it unlikely that for the tested compounds there will be a relevant opioid toxicity in vivo at physiologically relevant concentrations. However, small modifications to the original NBOMe structure may result in a panel of more efficacious and potent MOR agonists, potentially exhibiting a dual MOR/5-HT2A activation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie H Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Persson
- Department of Forensic Genetic and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Department of Forensic Genetic and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Awuchi CG, Aja MP, Mitaki NB, Morya S, Amagwula IO, Echeta CK, Igwe VS. New Psychoactive Substances: Major Groups, Laboratory Testing Challenges, Public Health Concerns, and Community-Based Solutions. J CHEM-NY 2023; 2023:1-36. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/5852315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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Glatfelter GC, Pottie E, Partilla JS, Sherwood AM, Kaylo K, Pham DNK, Naeem M, Sammeta VR, DeBoer S, Golen JA, Hulley EB, Stove CP, Chadeayne AR, Manke DR, Baumann MH. Structure-Activity Relationships for Psilocybin, Baeocystin, Aeruginascin, and Related Analogues to Produce Pharmacological Effects in Mice. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1181-1196. [PMID: 36407948 PMCID: PMC9667540 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) is a naturally occurring tertiary amine found in many mushroom species. Psilocybin is a prodrug for 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocin), which induces psychedelic effects via agonist activity at the serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor (5-HT2A). Several other 4-position ring-substituted tryptamines are present in psilocybin-containing mushrooms, including the secondary amine 4-phosphoryloxy-N-methyltryptamine (baeocystin) and the quaternary ammonium 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine (aeruginascin), but these compounds are not well studied. Here, we investigated the structure-activity relationships for psilocybin, baeocystin, and aeruginascin, as compared to their 4-acetoxy and 4-hydroxy analogues, using in vitro and in vivo methods. Broad receptor screening using radioligand binding assays in transfected cells revealed that secondary and tertiary tryptamines with either 4-acetoxy or 4-hydroxy substitutions display nanomolar affinity for most human 5-HT receptor subtypes tested, including the 5-HT2A and the serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A). The same compounds displayed affinity for 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A in mouse brain tissue in vitro and exhibited agonist efficacy in assays examining 5-HT2A-mediated calcium mobilization and β-arrestin 2 recruitment. In mouse experiments, only the tertiary amines psilocin, psilocybin, and 4-acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilacetin) induced head twitch responses (ED50 0.11-0.29 mg/kg) indicative of psychedelic-like activity. Head twitches were blocked by 5-HT2A antagonist pretreatment, supporting 5-HT2A involvement. Both secondary and tertiary amines decreased body temperature and locomotor activity at higher doses, the effects of which were blocked by 5-HT1A antagonist pretreatment. Across all assays, the pharmacological effects of 4-acetoxy and 4-hydroxy compounds were similar, and these compounds were more potent than their 4-phosphoryloxy counterparts. Importantly, psilacetin appears to be a prodrug for psilocin that displays substantial serotonin receptor activities of its own.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant C. Glatfelter
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - John S. Partilla
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | | | - Kristi Kaylo
- Usona
Institute, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Duyen N. K. Pham
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Marilyn Naeem
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Vamshikrishna Reddy Sammeta
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Stacie DeBoer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - James A. Golen
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Elliott B. Hulley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Christophe P. Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg
460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - David R. Manke
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, United States
| | - Michael H. Baumann
- Designer
Drug Research Unit, National Institute on
Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
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17
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Demin KA, Kupriyanova OV, Shevyrin VA, Derzhavina KA, Krotova NA, Ilyin NP, Kolesnikova TO, Galstyan DS, Kositsyn YM, Khaybaev AAS, Seredinskaya MV, Dubrovskii Y, Sadykova RG, Nerush MO, Mor MS, Petersen EV, Strekalova T, Efimova EV, Kuvarzin SR, Yenkoyan KB, Bozhko DV, Myrov VO, Kolchanova SM, Polovian AI, Galumov GK, Kalueff AV. Acute behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Novel N-Benzyl-2-Phenylethylamine Derivatives in Adult Zebrafish. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1902-1922. [PMID: 35671176 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hallucinogenic drugs potently affect brain and behavior and have also recently emerged as potentially promising agents in pharmacotherapy. Complementing laboratory rodents, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful animal model organism for screening neuroactive drugs, including hallucinogens. Here, we test a battery of ten novel N-benzyl-2-phenylethylamine (NBPEA) derivatives with the 2,4- and 3,4-dimethoxy substitutions in the phenethylamine moiety and the -OCH3, -OCF3, -F, -Cl, and -Br substitutions in the ortho position of the phenyl ring of the N-benzyl moiety, assessing their acute behavioral and neurochemical effects in the adult zebrafish. Overall, substitutions in the Overall, substitutions in the N-benzyl moiety modulate locomotion, and substitutions in the phenethylamine moiety alter zebrafish anxiety-like behavior, also affecting the brain serotonin and/or dopamine turnover. The 24H-NBOMe(F) and 34H-NBOMe(F) treatment also reduced zebrafish despair-like behavior. Computational analyses of zebrafish behavioral data by artificial intelligence identified several distinct clusters for these agents, including anxiogenic/hypolocomotor (24H-NBF, 24H-NBOMe, and 34H-NBF), behaviorally inert (34H-NBBr, 34H-NBCl, and 34H-NBOMe), anxiogenic/hallucinogenic-like (24H-NBBr, 24H-NBCl, and 24H-NBOMe(F)), and anxiolytic/hallucinogenic-like (34H-NBOMe(F)) drugs. Our computational analyses also revealed phenotypic similarity of the behavioral activity of some NBPEAs to that of selected conventional serotonergic and antiglutamatergic hallucinogens. In silico functional molecular activity modeling further supported the overlap of the drug targets for NBPEAs tested here and the conventional serotonergic and antiglutamatergic hallucinogens. Overall, these findings suggest potent neuroactive properties of several novel synthetic NBPEAs, detected in a sensitive in vivo vertebrate model system, the zebrafish, raising the possibility of their potential clinical use and abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Olga V Kupriyanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Volga Region Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia.,Kazan State Medical University, Kazan 420012, Russia
| | - Vadim A Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Str., Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia
| | - Ksenia A Derzhavina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Nataliya A Krotova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Nikita P Ilyin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Tatiana O Kolesnikova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - David S Galstyan
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny 197758, Russia
| | - Yurii M Kositsyn
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | | | - Maria V Seredinskaya
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Yaroslav Dubrovskii
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia.,Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,St. Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University, St. Petersburg 197022, Russia
| | | | - Maria O Nerush
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Mikael S Mor
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Elena V Petersen
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow 141701, Russia
| | | | - Evgeniya V Efimova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Savelii R Kuvarzin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Konstantin B Yenkoyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, COBRAIN Center, M. Heratsi Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan AM 0025, Armenia.,COBRAIN Scientific Educational Center for Fundamental Brain Research, Yerevan AM 0025, Armenia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Allan V Kalueff
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia.,Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620075, Russia.,Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny 197758, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow 141701, Russia.,COBRAIN Scientific Educational Center for Fundamental Brain Research, Yerevan AM 0025, Armenia.,Scientific Research Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Novosibirsk, 630117, Russia
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18
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He K. Pharmacological affinity fingerprints derived from bioactivity data for the identification of designer drugs. J Cheminform 2022; 14:35. [PMID: 35672835 PMCID: PMC9171973 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-022-00607-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Facing the continuous emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and their threat to public health, more effective methods for NPS prediction and identification are critical. In this study, the pharmacological affinity fingerprints (Ph-fp) of NPS compounds were predicted by Random Forest classification models using bioactivity data from the ChEMBL database. The binary Ph-fp is the vector consisting of a compound’s activity against a list of molecular targets reported to be responsible for the pharmacological effects of NPS. Their performance in similarity searching and unsupervised clustering was assessed and compared to 2D structure fingerprints Morgan and MACCS (1024-bits ECFP4 and 166-bits SMARTS-based MACCS implementation of RDKit). The performance in retrieving compounds according to their pharmacological categorizations is influenced by the predicted active assay counts in Ph-fp and the choice of similarity metric. Overall, the comparative unsupervised clustering analysis suggests the use of a classification model with Morgan fingerprints as input for the construction of Ph-fp. This combination gives satisfactory clustering performance based on external and internal clustering validation indices.
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19
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Ivory ST, Rotella JA, Schumann J, Greene SL. A cluster of 25B-NBOH poisonings following exposure to powder sold as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2022; 60:966-969. [PMID: 35343858 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2053150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 25B-NBOH is a synthetic hallucinogen closely related to the "NBOMe" family of N-substituted 2C phenethylamine derivatives. There have been no published reports documenting the clinical toxicity of NBOH derivatives. CASE SERIES Five patients presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with altered conscious state following exposure to powder sold as "powdered LSD" at a party. A 24-year-old male who ingested the powder developed mydriasis, tachycardia, hypertension, and severe agitation requiring parenteral sedation. A 22-year-old male who insufflated the powder developed status epilepticus requiring intubation. Both patients developed acute kidney injury and one had rhabdomyolysis. In both cases, blood analysis detected 25-NBOH and no other illicit/licit drugs. Three other patients developed mild hallucinations. Hyperthermia was not documented in any case. DISCUSSION Exposure to 25B-NBOH in a powdered form produced sympathomimetic toxicity, including hallucinations. Insufflation of 25B-NBOH led to rapid onset of status epilepticus in one case. Toxicity in all cases resolved within 12 h. Despite in vitro evidence of 5-HT2A receptor agonism, hyperthermia was not observed. Potent hallucinogens are often delivered via blotter paper to avoid excessive dosing. The severe clinical toxicity documented in these cases highlights the potential for development of adverse health effects with exposure to apparent small volumes of potent sympathomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Ivory
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Northern Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joe-Anthony Rotella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Northern Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Victorian Poisons Information Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jennifer Schumann
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shaun L Greene
- Victorian Poisons Information Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
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20
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Rudin D, McCorvy JD, Glatfelter GC, Luethi D, Szöllősi D, Ljubišić T, Kavanagh PV, Dowling G, Holy M, Jaentsch K, Walther D, Brandt SD, Stockner T, Baumann MH, Halberstadt AL, Sitte HH. (2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophenes (APBTs) are novel monoamine transporter ligands that lack stimulant effects but display psychedelic-like activity in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:914-923. [PMID: 34750565 PMCID: PMC8882185 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Derivatives of (2-aminopropyl)indole (API) and (2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (APB) are new psychoactive substances which produce stimulant effects in vivo. (2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophene (APBT) is a novel sulfur-based analog of API and APB that has not been pharmacologically characterized. In the current study, we assessed the pharmacological effects of six APBT positional isomers in vitro, and three of these isomers (3-APBT, 5-APBT, and 6-APBT) were subjected to further investigations in vivo. Uptake inhibition and efflux assays in human transporter-transfected HEK293 cells and in rat brain synaptosomes revealed that APBTs inhibit monoamine reuptake and induce transporter-mediated substrate release. Despite being nonselective transporter releasers like MDMA, the APBT compounds failed to produce locomotor stimulation in C57BL/6J mice. Interestingly, 3-APBT, 5-APBT, and 6-APBT were full agonists at 5-HT2 receptor subtypes as determined by calcium mobilization assays and induced the head-twitch response in C57BL/6J mice, suggesting psychedelic-like activity. Compared to their APB counterparts, ABPT compounds demonstrated that replacing the oxygen atom with sulfur results in enhanced releasing potency at the serotonin transporter and more potent and efficacious activity at 5-HT2 receptors, which fundamentally changed the in vitro and in vivo profile of APBT isomers in the present studies. Overall, our data suggest that APBT isomers may exhibit psychedelic and/or entactogenic effects in humans, with minimal psychomotor stimulation. Whether this unique pharmacological profile of APBT isomers translates into potential therapeutic potential, for instance as candidates for drug-assisted psychotherapy, warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Rudin
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - John D. McCorvy
- grid.30760.320000 0001 2111 8460Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI USA
| | - Grant C. Glatfelter
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Dino Luethi
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dániel Szöllősi
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tea Ljubišić
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Pierce V. Kavanagh
- grid.416409.e0000 0004 0617 8280Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin, 8 Ireland
| | - Geraldine Dowling
- grid.416409.e0000 0004 0617 8280Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital, Dublin, 8 Ireland ,Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, Sligo Institute of Technology, Ash Lane, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Marion Holy
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrin Jaentsch
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Donna Walther
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Simon D. Brandt
- grid.4425.70000 0004 0368 0654School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK ,Alexander Shulgin Research Institute, Lafayette, CA USA
| | - Thomas Stockner
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael H. Baumann
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Adam L. Halberstadt
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Harald H. Sitte
- grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria ,grid.22937.3d0000 0000 9259 8492Center for Addiction Research and Science—AddRess, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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21
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Kolaczynska KE, Luethi D, Trachsel D, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Receptor Interaction Profiles of 4-Alkoxy-3,5-Dimethoxy-Phenethylamines (Mescaline Derivatives) and Related Amphetamines. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:794254. [PMID: 35222010 PMCID: PMC8865417 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.794254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenethylamine (mescaline) is a psychedelic alkaloid found in peyote cactus. Related 4-alkoxy-3,5-dimethoxy-substituted phenethylamines (scalines) and amphetamines (3C-scalines) are reported to induce similarly potent psychedelic effects and are therefore potential novel therapeutics for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Herein, several pharmacologically uninvestigated scalines and 3C-scalines were examined at key monoamine targets in vitro. Binding affinity at human serotonergic 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C, adrenergic α1A and α2A, and dopaminergic D2 receptors, rat and mouse trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), and human monoamine transporters were assessed using target specific transfected cells. Furthermore, activation of human 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors, and TAAR1 was examined. Generally, scalines and 3C-scalines bound with weak to moderately high affinity to the 5-HT2A receptor (Ki = 150–12,000 nM). 3C-scalines showed a marginal preference for the 5-HT2A vs the 5-HT2C and 5-HT1A receptors whereas no preference was observed for the scalines. Extending the 4-alkoxy substituent increased 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors binding affinities, and enhanced activation potency and efficacy at the 5-HT2A but not at the 5-HT2B receptor. Introduction of fluorinated 4-alkoxy substituents generally increased 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors binding affinities and increased the activation potency and efficacy at the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors. Overall, no potent affinity was observed at non-serotonergic targets. As observed for other psychedelics, scalines and 3C-scalines interacted with the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors and bound with higher affinities (up to 63-fold and 34-fold increase, respectively) when compared to mescaline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina E Kolaczynska
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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22
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Pottie E, Stove CP. In vitro assays for the functional characterization of (psychedelic) substances at the serotonin receptor 5-HT 2A R. J Neurochem 2022; 162:39-59. [PMID: 34978711 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are substances that induce alterations in mood, perception, and thought, and have the activation of serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptors (5-HT2A Rs) as a main pharmacological mechanism. Besides their appearance on the (illicit) drug market, e.g. as new psychoactive substances, their potential therapeutic application is increasingly explored. This group of substances demonstrates a broad structural variety, leading to insufficiently described structure-activity relationships, hence illustrating the need for better functional characterization. This review therefore elaborates on the in vitro molecular techniques that have been used the most abundantly for the characterization of (psychedelic) 5-HT2A R agonists. More specifically, this review covers assays to monitor the canonical G protein signaling pathway (e.g. measuring G protein recruitment/activation, inositol phosphate accumulation, or Ca2+ mobilization), assays to monitor non-canonical G protein signaling (such as arachidonic acid release), assays to monitor β-arrestin recruitment or signaling, and assays to monitor receptor conformational changes. In particular, focus lies on the mechanism behind the techniques, and the specific advantages and challenges that are associated with these. Additionally, several variables are discussed that one should consider when attempting to compare functional outcomes from different studies, both linked to the specific assay mechanism and linked to its specific execution, as these may heavily impact the assay outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Tirri M, Bilel S, Arfè R, Corli G, Marchetti B, Bernardi T, Boccuto F, Serpelloni G, Botrè F, De-Giorgio F, Golembiowska K, Marti M. Effect of -NBOMe Compounds on Sensorimotor, Motor, and Prepulse Inhibition Responses in Mice in Comparison With the 2C Analogs and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: From Preclinical Evidence to Forensic Implication in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:875722. [PMID: 35530025 PMCID: PMC9069068 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.875722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the market for new psychoactive substances has been enriched by numerous psychedelic phenethylamines, which mimic the psychoactive effect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In particular, the -NBOMe series, which are more potent than their 2C compounds analogs, are considered worthy substitutes for LSD by users. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 25H-NBOMe and its halogenated derivatives (25I-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe) in comparison to their 2C compounds analogs and LSD on the sensorimotor (visual, acoustic, and overall tactile), reaction time, spontaneous (total distance traveled) and stimulated (drag, accelerod test) motor activity, grip strength test, and prepulse inhibition (PPI) responses in mice. Systemic administration of -NBOMe, 2C compounds analogs, and LSD (0.001-10 mg/kg) differently impaired the sensorimotor, reaction time, motor, and PPI responses in mice. In particular, halogenated (25I and 25B)-NBOMe derivatives appear to be more effective than the entire class of 2C compounds analogs in altering visual and acoustic responses, affecting reaction time, and motor and sensory gating in PPI test. In fact, the specific rank order of compounds potency for nearly all of the experiments showed that (25I and 25B)-NBOMe were more potent than 2C compounds analogs and LSD. -NBOMe and 2C compounds analogs impaired not only the reception of incoming sensory stimuli (visual and acoustic), but their correct brain processing (PPI) in an equal and sometimes stronger way than LSD. This sensory impairment directly affected the spontaneous motor response and reaction time of mice, with no change in performance in stimulated motor activity tests. These aspects should be carefully considered to better understand the potential danger that psychedelic phenethylamines, in particular -NBOMe, may pose to public health, with particular reference to decreased performance in driving and hazardous works that require special sensorimotor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Tirri
- Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA) Centre, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrine Bilel
- Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA) Centre, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Arfè
- Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA) Centre, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgia Corli
- Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA) Centre, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Beatrice Marchetti
- Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA) Centre, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tatiana Bernardi
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Boccuto
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Serpelloni
- Neuroscience Clinical Center and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Unit, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Botrè
- Institute of Sport Science University of Lausanne (ISSUL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Krystyna Golembiowska
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakòw, Poland
| | - Matteo Marti
- Section of Legal Medicine and Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA) Centre, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Rome, Italy
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24
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Nykodemová J, Šuláková A, Palivec P, Češková H, Rimpelová S, Šíchová K, Leonhardt T, Jurásek B, Hájková K, Páleníček T, Kuchař M. 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe Metabolites in Rat Urine, Human Liver Microsomes and C. elegans: Confirmation with Synthesized Analytical Standards. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11110775. [PMID: 34822433 PMCID: PMC8624686 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11110775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds from the N-benzylphenethylamine (NBPEA) class of novel psychoactive substances are being increasingly utilized in neurobiological and clinical research, as diagnostic tools, or for recreational purposes. To understand the pharmacology, safety, or potential toxicity of these substances, elucidating their metabolic fate is therefore of the utmost interest. Several studies on NBPEA metabolism have emerged, but scarce information about substances with a tetrahydrobenzodifuran ("Fly") moiety is available. Here, we investigated the metabolism of 2-(8-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethan-1-amine (2C-B-Fly-NBOMe) in three different systems: isolated human liver microsomes, Cunninghamella elegans mycelium, and in rats in vivo. Phase I and II metabolites of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe were first detected in an untargeted screening and identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Several hypothesized metabolites were then synthesized as reference standards; knowledge of their fragmentation patterns was utilized for confirmation or tentative identification of isomers. Altogether, thirty-five phase I and nine phase II 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe metabolites were detected. Major detected metabolic pathways were mono- and poly-hydroxylation, O-demethylation, oxidative debromination, and to a lesser extent also N-demethoxybenzylation, followed by glucuronidation and/or N-acetylation. Differences were observed for the three used media. The highest number of metabolites and at highest concentration were found in human liver microsomes. In vivo metabolites detected from rat urine included two poly-hydroxylated metabolites found only in this media. Mycelium matrix contained several dehydrogenated, N-oxygenated, and dibrominated metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Nykodemová
- 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; (J.N.); (P.P.); (H.Č.); (B.J.); (K.H.)
| | - Anna Šuláková
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (A.Š.); (K.Š.); (T.P.)
| | - Petr Palivec
- 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; (J.N.); (P.P.); (H.Č.); (B.J.); (K.H.)
| | - Hedvika Češková
- 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; (J.N.); (P.P.); (H.Č.); (B.J.); (K.H.)
| | - Silvie Rimpelová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (M.K.); Tel.: +420-220-444-431 (M.K.)
| | - Klára Šíchová
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (A.Š.); (K.Š.); (T.P.)
| | - Tereza Leonhardt
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 3, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - 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; (J.N.); (P.P.); (H.Č.); (B.J.); (K.H.)
| | - Kateřina Hájková
- 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; (J.N.); (P.P.); (H.Č.); (B.J.); (K.H.)
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (A.Š.); (K.Š.); (T.P.)
| | - 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; (J.N.); (P.P.); (H.Č.); (B.J.); (K.H.)
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (A.Š.); (K.Š.); (T.P.)
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (M.K.); Tel.: +420-220-444-431 (M.K.)
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Abstract
Psychostimulant, cardiovascular, and temperature actions of stimulants involve adrenergic (norepinephrine), dopaminergic (dopamine), and serotonergic (serotonin) pathways. Stimulants such as amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or mephedrone can act on the neuronal membrane monoamine transporters NET, DAT, and SERT and/or the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 to inhibit reuptake of neurotransmitter or cause release by reverse transport. Stimulants may have additional effects involving pre- and postsynaptic/junctional receptors for norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin and other receptors. As a result, stimulants may have a wide range of possible actions. Agents with cocaine or MDMA-like actions can induce serious and potentially fatal adverse events via thermodysregulatory, cardiovascular, or other mechanisms. MDMA-like stimulants may cause hyperthermia that can be life threathening. Recreational users of stimulants should be aware of the dangers of hyperthermia in a rave/club environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadeel A Alsufyani
- Department of Physiology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Catalani V, Corkery JM, Guirguis A, Napoletano F, Arillotta D, Zangani C, Vento A, Schifano F. Psychonauts' psychedelics: A systematic, multilingual, web-crawling exercise. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 49:69-92. [PMID: 33857740 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelics alter the perception of reality through agonist or partial agonist interaction with the 2A serotoninergic receptor. They are classified as phenethylamines, tryptamines and lysergamides. These classes, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), account for an important percentage of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) current scenario.The paper aimed at: a) identifying and categorising psychedelic molecules from a list of psychonaut websites and NPS online resources; and b) comparing the NPSfinderⓇ results with those from the European and United Nations databases. A crawling software (i.e. 'NPSfinderⓇ') was created to automatically scan, 24/7, a list of URLs and to extract a range of information (chemical/street names, chemical formulae, etc.) to facilitate NPS identification. Data collected were manually analysed and compared with the EMCDDA and UNODC databases.The overall number of psychedelic NPS detected by NPSfinderⓇ (November 2017-February 2020) was 1344, almost ten-times higher than that reported by the UNODC and EMCDDA combined. Of these, 994 previously unknown molecules were identified as (potential) novel psychedelics, suggesting a strong discrepancy between online and real-world NPS scenarios. The results show the interest of psychonauts, and maybe of the much larger community of 'recreational' drug users, towards psychedelics. Moreover, examining online scenario may help in assessing the availability in the real world of psychedelic NPS; understanding drug trends; and in possibly predicting future drug scenarios.
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Märcher Rørsted E, Jensen AA, Kristensen JL. 25CN-NBOH: A Selective Agonist for in vitro and in vivo Investigations of the Serotonin 2A Receptor. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3263-3270. [PMID: 34288515 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
4-(2-((2-hydroxybenzyl)amino)ethyl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile (25CN-NBOH) was first reported as a potent and selective serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A R) agonist in 2014, and it has since found extensive use as a pharmacological tool in a variety of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies. 25CN-NBOH is readily available from a synthetic perspective using standard chemical transformations, and displays favorable physiochemical properties in terms of stability and solubility. Due to its superior selectivity for 5-HT2A R, 25CN-NBOH has been used to investigate the effects of selective 5-HT2A R activation in vivo, and has thus become an important pharmacological tool for the exploration of 5-HT2A R signaling in a range of animal models. In the present review, we outline the discovery of 25CN-NBOH, its pharmacological profile and major findings from studies where it has been used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Märcher Rørsted
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Jesper L Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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28
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Rudin D, Liechti ME, Luethi D. Molecular and clinical aspects of potential neurotoxicity induced by new psychoactive stimulants and psychedelics. Exp Neurol 2021; 343:113778. [PMID: 34090893 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive stimulants and psychedelics continue to play an important role on the illicit new psychoactive substance (NPS) market. Designer stimulants and psychedelics both affect monoaminergic systems, although by different mechanisms. Stimulant NPS primarily interact with monoamine transporters, either as inhibitors or as substrates. Psychedelic NPS most potently interact with serotonergic receptors and mediate their mind-altering effects mainly through agonism at serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT2A) receptors. Rarely, designer stimulants and psychedelics are associated with potentially severe adverse effects. However, due to the high number of emerging NPS, it is not possible to investigate the toxicity of each individual substance in detail. The brain is an organ particularly sensitive to substance-induced toxicity due to its high metabolic activity. In fact, stimulant and psychedelic NPS have been linked to neurological and cognitive impairments. Furthermore, studies using in vitro cell models or rodents indicate a variety of mechanisms that could potentially lead to neurotoxic damage in NPS users. Cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress may potentially contribute to neurotoxicity of stimulant NPS in addition to altered neurochemistry. Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor-mediated toxicity, oxidative stress, and activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways could contribute to neurotoxicity of some psychedelic NPS. However, it remains unclear how well the current preclinical data of NPS-induced neurotoxicity translate to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Rudin
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.
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29
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Šuláková A, Nykodemová J, Palivec P, Jurok R, Rimpelová S, Leonhardt T, Šíchová K, Páleníček T, Kuchař M. 25CN-NBOMe Metabolites in Rat Urine, Human Liver Microsomes and C.elegans-Structure Determination and Synthesis of the Most Abundant Metabolites. Metabolites 2021; 11:212. [PMID: 33807281 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11040212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Benzylphenethylamines are novel psychedelic substances increasingly used for research, diagnostic, or recreational purposes. To date, only a few metabolism studies have been conducted for N-2-methoxybenzylated compounds (NBOMes). Thus, the available 2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-((2-methoxybenzyl)amino)ethyl)benzonitrile (25CN-NBOMe) metabolism data are limited. Herein, we investigated the metabolic profile of 25CN-NBOMe in vivo in rats and in vitro in Cunninghamella elegans (C. elegans) mycelium and human liver microsomes. Phase I and phase II metabolites were first detected in an untargeted screening, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) identification of the most abundant metabolites by comparison with in-house synthesized reference materials. The major metabolic pathways described within this study (mono- and bis-O-demethylation, hydroxylation at different positions, and combinations thereof, followed by the glucuronidation, sulfation, and/or N-acetylation of primary metabolites) generally correspond to the results of previously reported metabolism of several other NBOMes. The cyano functional group was either hydrolyzed to the respective amide or carboxylic acid or remained untouched. Differences between species should be taken into account in studies of the metabolism of novel substances.
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30
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Pottie E, Kupriyanova OV, Brandt AL, Laprairie RB, Shevyrin VA, Stove CP. Serotonin 2A Receptor (5-HT 2AR) Activation by 25H-NBOMe Positional Isomers: In Vitro Functional Evaluation and Molecular Docking. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:479-487. [PMID: 33860178 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are defined as compounds having serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation as an important pharmacological mechanism. These compounds include the phenylalkylamine class, containing substances with e.g. 2C-X structures (phenethylamines) or their N-methoxybenzyl analogues (NBOMes). Besides their abuse potential, psychedelics are increasingly recognized for having therapeutic benefits. However, many psychedelics remain incompletely characterized, even concerning their structure-activity relationships. Here, five positional isomers of 25H-NBOMe, with two methoxy groups on the different positions of the phenyl ring of the phenethylamine moiety, were subjected to split-nanoluciferase assays assessing the in vitro recruitment of cytosolic proteins to the 5-HT2AR. Furthermore, molecular docking at the 5-HT2AR allowed estimation of which residues interact with the specific isomers' methoxy groups. Although the optimal substitution pattern of N-unsubstituted phenylalkylamines has been extensively studied, this is the first comparative evaluation of the functional effects of the positioning of the methoxy groups in the phenethylamine moiety of NBOMes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olga V Kupriyanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russian Federation.,Kazan State Medical University, Kazan 420012, Russian Federation
| | - Asher L Brandt
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Vadim A Shevyrin
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russian Federation
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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31
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de Barros WA, Silva MDM, Dantas MDDA, Santos JCC, Figueiredo IM, Chaves OA, Sant’Anna CMR, de Fátima Â. Recreational drugs 25I-NBOH and 25I-NBOMe bind to both Sudlow's sites I and II of human serum albumin (HSA): biophysical and molecular modeling studies. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj00806d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
25I-NBOH and 25I-NBOMe simultaneously bind to sites I and II of HSA, which may affect their distribution and effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wellington Alves de Barros
- Departamento de Química
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Otávio Augusto Chaves
- Departamento de Química Fundamental
- Instituto de Química
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
- Seropédica
- Brazil
| | - Carlos Mauricio R. Sant’Anna
- Departamento de Química Fundamental
- Instituto de Química
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
- Seropédica
- Brazil
| | - Ângelo de Fátima
- Departamento de Química
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
- Belo Horizonte
- Brazil
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32
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Cocchi V, Gasperini S, Hrelia P, Tirri M, Marti M, Lenzi M. Novel Psychoactive Phenethylamines: Impact on Genetic Material. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249616. [PMID: 33348640 PMCID: PMC7766159 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychedelic and stimulating phenethylamines belong to the family of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The acute toxicity framework has begun to be investigated, while studies showing genotoxic potential are very limited or not available. Therefore, in order to fill this gap, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the genotoxicity by treating TK6 cells with 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, 25B-NBOMe, and the popular 3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). On the basis of cytotoxicity and cytostasis results, we selected the concentrations (6.25–35 µM) to be used in genotoxicity analysis. We used the micronucleus (MN) as indicator of genetic damage and analyzed the MNi frequency fold increase by an automated flow cytometric protocol. All substances, except MDMA, resulted genotoxic; therefore, we evaluated reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction as a possible mechanism at the basis of the demonstrated genotoxicity. The obtained results showed a statistically significant increase in ROS levels for all genotoxic phenethylamines confirming this hypothesis. Our results highlight the importance of genotoxicity evaluation for a complete assessment of the risk associated also with NPS exposure. Indeed, the subjects who do not have hazardous behaviors or require hospitalization by using active but still “safe” doses could run into genotoxicity and in the well-known long-term effects associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Cocchi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (V.C.); (S.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Sofia Gasperini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (V.C.); (S.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (V.C.); (S.G.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Micaela Tirri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Matteo Marti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.T.); (M.M.)
- Collaborative Center for the Italian National Early Warning System, Department of Anti-Drug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monia Lenzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (V.C.); (S.G.); (M.L.)
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33
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Meira VL, de Oliveira AS, Cohen LSA, de A Bhering C, de Oliveira KM, de Siqueira DS, de Oliveira MAM, Aquino Neto FRD, Vanini G. Chemical and statistical analyses of blotter paper matrix drugs seized in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 318:110588. [PMID: 33278694 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse are psychoactive substances illicitly distributed and used worldwide. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, they represent a public health issue and are directly related to several social problems. The recent increase in appearances of new psychoactive substances (NPS), derived from structural modifications of existing psychoactive substances, poses a threat to public health and forensic laboratories worldwide, as little is known about these substances. This study aimed to chemically and geographically map drugs of abuse from blotter papers seized by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro State (PCERJ) between 2006 and 2019. High-performance analytical techniques, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Orbitrap-MS), combined with statistical analyses, were employed to characterize the seized samples. The most common chemical compounds in NPS found in this study were synthetic phenethylamines, i.e., molecules from the 25I-NBOH (2-(((4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)amino)methyl)phenol) and 25I-NBOMe (2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine) families. Prior to 2014, the majority of seized blotter papers contained lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and were concentrated in the Metropolitan region. An upsurge in blotter paper seizures was observed from 2014 to 2017; the most common substances during this time were from the NBOMe family. NBOH compounds emerged in 2016 in coastal regions with high tourism, reaching over 1300 items only in 2017. Only one synthetic cannabinoid was found among the blotter papers seized in Rio de Janeiro between 2006 and 2019. The assembled chemical data and statistical analyses allowed the mapping and monitoring of the chemical profiles of the seized blotter papers, providing a strong foundation for the understanding of the origins and movement of these drugs around the RJ State.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius L Meira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, NAF - LADETEC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Adriana S de Oliveira
- PCERJ, SEPOL, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli (ICCE), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20060-050, Brazil.
| | - Luciana S A Cohen
- PCERJ, SEPOL, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli (ICCE), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20060-050, Brazil
| | - Cecília de A Bhering
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, NAF - LADETEC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Karen M de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, NAF - LADETEC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Denilson S de Siqueira
- PCERJ, SEPOL, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli (ICCE), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20060-050, Brazil
| | - Marco Antônio Martins de Oliveira
- PCERJ, SEPOL, Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli (ICCE), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20060-050, Brazil; Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, GQA, Niterói, RJ, 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Francisco R de Aquino Neto
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, NAF - LADETEC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Vanini
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Química, NAF - LADETEC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
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Tirri M, Ponzoni L, Bilel S, Arfè R, Braida D, Sala M, Marti M. Acute DOB and PMA Administration Impairs Motor and Sensorimotor Responses in Mice and Causes Hallucinogenic Effects in Adult Zebrafish. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E586. [PMID: 32847111 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10090586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The drastic increase in hallucinogenic compounds in illicit drug markets of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is a worldwide threat. Among these, 2, 5-dimetoxy-4-bromo-amphetamine (DOB) and paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA; marketed as “ecstasy”) are frequently purchased on the dark web and consumed for recreational purposes during rave/dance parties. In fact, these two substances seem to induce the same effects as MDMA, which could be due to their structural similarities. According to users, DOB and PMA share the same euphoric effects: increasing of the mental state, increasing sociability and empathy. Users also experienced loss of memory, temporal distortion, and paranoia following the repetition of the same thought. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the acute systemic administration of DOB and PMA (0.01–30 mg/kg; i.p.) on motor, sensorimotor (visual, acoustic, and tactile), and startle/PPI responses in CD-1 male mice. Moreover, the pro-psychedelic effect of DOB (0.075–2 mg/kg) and PMA (0.0005–0.5 mg/kg) was investigated by using zebrafish as a model. DOB and PMA administration affected spontaneous locomotion and impaired behaviors and startle/PPI responses in mice. In addition, the two compounds promoted hallucinatory states in zebrafish by reducing the hallucinatory score and swimming activity in hallucinogen-like states.
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Pottie E, Cannaert A, Stove CP. In vitro structure-activity relationship determination of 30 psychedelic new psychoactive substances by means of β-arrestin 2 recruitment to the serotonin 2A receptor. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3449-3460. [PMID: 32627074 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02836-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics, substances exerting their effects primarily through the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), continue to comprise a substantial portion of reported new psychoactive substances (NPS). The exact mechanisms of action of psychedelics still remain to be elucidated further, and certain pathways remain largely unexplored on a molecular level for this group of compounds. A systematic comparison of substances belonging to different subclasses, monitoring the receptor-proximal β-arrestin 2 recruitment, is lacking. Based on a previously reported in vitro bioassay employing functional complementation of a split nanoluciferase to monitor β-arrestin 2 recruitment to the 5-HT2AR, we here report on the setup of a stable HEK 293 T cell-based bioassay. Following verification of the performance of this new stable cell system as compared to a system based on transient transfection, the stable expression system was deemed suitable for the pharmacological characterization of psychedelic NPS. Subsequently, it was applied for the in vitro assessment of the structure-activity relationship of a set of 30 substances, representing different subclasses of phenylalkylamine psychedelics, among which 12 phenethylamine derivatives (2C-X), 7 phenylisopropylamines (DOx) and 11 N-benzylderivatives (25X-NB). The resulting potency and efficacy values provide insights into the structure-activity relationship of the tested compounds, overall confirm findings observed with other reported in vitro assays, and even show a significant correlation with estimated common doses. This approach, in which a large series of psychedelic NPS belonging to different subclasses is comparatively tested, using a same assay setup, monitoring a receptor-proximal event, not only gives pharmacological insights, but may also allow prioritization of legal actions related to the most potent -and potentially dangerous- compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Kupriyanova OV, Shevyrin VA, Shafran YM, Lebedev AT, Milyukov VA, Rusinov VL. Synthesis and determination of analytical characteristics and differentiation of positional isomers in the series of
N
‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)‐2‐(dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine using chromatography–mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal 2020; 12:1154-1170. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Kupriyanova
- A.E. Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry FRC Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Scientific Center Kazan Russian Federation
- Kazan State Medical University Kazan Russian Federation
| | - Vadim A. Shevyrin
- Ural Federal University Institute of Chemistry and Technology Ekaterinburg Russian Federation
| | - Yuri M. Shafran
- Ural Federal University Institute of Chemistry and Technology Ekaterinburg Russian Federation
| | - Albert T. Lebedev
- Organic Chemistry Department Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow Russian Federation
| | - Vasili A. Milyukov
- A.E. Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry FRC Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Scientific Center Kazan Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir L. Rusinov
- Ural Federal University Institute of Chemistry and Technology Ekaterinburg Russian Federation
- Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yekaterinburg Russian Federation
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Torralva R, Eshleman AJ, Swanson TL, Schmachtenberg JL, Schutzer WE, Bloom SH, Wolfrum KM, Reed JF, Janowsky A. Fentanyl but not Morphine Interacts with Nonopioid Recombinant Human Neurotransmitter Receptors and Transporters. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 374:376-391. [PMID: 32513839 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.265561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and its analogs, have therapeutic efficacy in analgesia and anesthesia. However, their illicit use in the United States has increased and contributed to the number one cause of death for adults 18-50 years old. Fentanyl and the heroin metabolite morphine induce respiratory depression that can be treated with the μ opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist naloxone. With higher or more rapid dosing, fentanyl, more than morphine, causes chest wall rigidity and can also induce rapid onset laryngospasm. Because non-MORs could mediate differing clinical manifestations, we examined the interactions of fentanyl and morphine at recombinant human neurotransmitter transporters, G protein-coupled receptors, and the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor. Both drugs were agonists at MOR, κ, and δ opioid receptors. Morphine had little or no affinity at other human receptors and transporters (K i or IC50 value >100 µM). However, fentanyl had K i values of 1407 and 1100 nM at α 1A and α 1B adrenoceptor subtypes, respectively, and K i values of 1049 and 1670 nM at dopamine D4.4 and D1 receptor subtypes, respectively; it also blocked [3H]neurotransmitter uptake by the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (IC50 = 911 nM). Pharmacokinetic models indicate that these Ki and IC50 values are pharmacologically relevant. Fentanyl had little affinity for other receptors or transporters. Thus, noradrenergic disposition at specific receptor subtypes in relevant organs may play a role in respiratory and cardiothoracic effects of fentanyl. Data suggest that less selective fentanyl receptor pharmacology could play a role in the different clinical effects of morphine compared with fentanyl, including fentanyl-induced deaths after illicit use. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The synthetic opioid fentanyl induces different clinical effects, including rapid onset muscular rigidity, vocal cord closure, and rapid death, than the heroin metabolite morphine. Our data indicate for the first time that the two drugs have very different effects at recombinant human neurotransmitter receptors and transporters that might explain those clinical differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy Torralva
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - Amy J Eshleman
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - Tracy L Swanson
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - Jennifer L Schmachtenberg
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - William E Schutzer
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - Shelley H Bloom
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - Katherine M Wolfrum
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - John F Reed
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
| | - Aaron Janowsky
- Research Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.); Coda Research, Portland, Oregon (R.T.); Departments of Psychiatry (R.T., A.J.E., T.L.S., J.L.S., W.E.S., S.H.B., K.M.W., J.F.R., A.J.), Behavioral Neuroscience (A.J.E., A.J.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (W.E.S., A.J.)
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Abstract
Psychoactive substances with chemical structures or pharmacological profiles that are similar to traditional drugs of abuse continue to emerge on the recreational drug market. Internet vendors may at least temporarily sell these so-called designer drugs without adhering to legal statutes or facing legal consequences. Overall, the mechanism of action and adverse effects of designer drugs are similar to traditional drugs of abuse. Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cathinones, primarily interact with monoamine transporters and mostly induce sympathomimetic adverse effects. Agonism at μ-opioid receptors and γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) or GABAB receptors mediates the pharmacological effects of sedatives, which may induce cardiorespiratory depression. Dissociative designer drugs primarily act as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists and pose similar health risks as the medically approved dissociative anesthetic ketamine. The cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor is thought to drive the psychoactive effects of synthetic cannabinoids, which are associated with a less desirable effect profile and more severe adverse effects compared with cannabis. Serotonergic 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT2A) receptors mediate alterations of perception and cognition that are induced by serotonergic psychedelics. Because of their novelty, designer drugs may remain undetected by routine drug screening, thus hampering evaluations of adverse effects. Intoxication reports suggest that several designer drugs are used concurrently, posing a high risk for severe adverse effects and even death.
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Abstract
Recently, a new class of psychedelic compounds named NBOMe (or 25X-NBOMe) has appeared on the illegal drug market. NBOMes are analogs of the 2C family of phenethylamine drugs, originally synthesized by Alexander Shulgin, that contain a N-(2-methoxy)benzyl substituent. The most frequently reported drugs from this group are 25I-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, and 25C-NBOMe. NBOMe compounds are ultrapotent and highly efficacious agonists of serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors (Ki values in low nanomolar range) with more than 1000-fold selectivity for 5-HT2A compared with 5-HT1A. They display higher affinity for 5-HT2A receptors than their 2C counterparts and have markedly lower affinity, potency, and efficacy at the 5-HT2B receptor compared to 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C. The drugs are sold as blotter papers, or in powder, liquid, or tablet form, and they are administered sublingually/buccally, intravenously, via nasal insufflations, or by smoking. Since their introduction in the early 2010s, numerous reports have been published on clinical intoxications and fatalities resulting from the consumption of NBOMe compounds. Commonly observed adverse effects include visual and auditory hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, panic and fear, agitation, uncontrollable violent behavior, seizures, excited delirium, and sympathomimetic signs such mydriasis, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, and diaphoresis. Rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and multiorgan failure were also reported. This survey provides an updated overview of the pharmacological properties, pattern of use, metabolism, and desired effects associated with NBOMe use. Special emphasis is given to cases of non-fatal and lethal intoxication involving these compounds. As the analysis of NBOMes in biological materials can be challenging even for laboratories applying modern sensitive techniques, this paper also presents the analytical methods most commonly used for detection and identification of NBOMes and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta B Zawilska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Monika Kacela
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Piotr Adamowicz
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland
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Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a heterogeneous group of substances. They are associated with a number of health and social harms on an individual and societal level. NPS toxicity and dependence syndromes are recognised in primary care, emergency departments, psychiatric inpatient and community care settings. One pragmatic classification system is to divide NPS into one of four groups: synthetic stimulants, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic hallucinogens and synthetic depressants (which include synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines). We review these four classes of NPS, including their chemical structures, mechanism of action, modes of use, intended intoxicant effects, and their associated physical and mental health harms. The current challenges faced by laboratory testing for NPS are also explored, in the context of the diverse range of NPS currently available, rate of production and emergence of new substances, the different formulations, and methods of acquisition and distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Shafi
- East London Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alex J Berry
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK
| | | | - David M Wood
- Clinical Toxicology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Derek K Tracy
- Consultant Psychiatrist, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Machado Y, Coelho Neto J, Lordeiro RA, Alves RB, Piccin E. Identification of new NBOH drugs in seized blotter papers: 25B-NBOH, 25C-NBOH, and 25E-NBOH. Forensic Toxicol 2020; 38:203-15. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00509-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The recreational drug market remains dynamic. After the introduction of 25I-NBOH, an N-benzylphenethylamine and new psychoactive substance, as option for LSD and NBOMe drugs, new NBOH substances have been identified in recent years. Herein, we report our efforts for the identification and structural elucidation of three new NBOHs detected in seized blotter papers: 25B-NBOH, 25C-NBOH, and 25E-NBOH.
Methods
Blotter papers seized between 2017 and 2018 by local police force in Brazil were submitted to extraction, purification, identification and characterization using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography—mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Results
Three new NBOHs were characterized: 2-(((4-ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)amino)methyl)phenol (25E-NBOH, 2C-E-NBOH), 2-(((4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)amino)methyl)phenol (25C-NBOH, 2C-C-NBOH), and 2-(((4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)amino)methyl)phenol (25B-NBOH, 2C-B-NBOH).
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first report for identification and detailed characterization of 25B-NBOH, 25C-NBOH, and 25E-NBOH in seized samples. NBOH substances are not under United Nations Conventions control. The identification of seized blotter papers between 2014 and beginning of 2019 showed that NBOH substances have become the main hallucinogenic drug in the region. These group are thermolabile under gas chromatographic conditions, demanding other analytical approaches of analysis to avoid misidentifications. Unfortunately, the knowledge about toxicology of NBOHs are limited.
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Richter LHJ, Menges J, Wagmann L, Brandt SD, Stratford A, Westphal F, Flockerzi V, Meyer MR. In vitro toxicokinetics and analytical toxicology of three novel NBOMe derivatives: phase I and II metabolism, plasma protein binding, and detectability in standard urine screening approaches studied by means of hyphenated mass spectrometry. Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00498-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Luethi D, Hoener MC, Krähenbühl S, Liechti ME, Duthaler U. Cytochrome P450 enzymes contribute to the metabolism of LSD to nor-LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD: Implications for clinical LSD use. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 164:129-138. [PMID: 30981875 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, experimental research on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in humans has gained new momentum. In humans, LSD is metabolized rapidly into several metabolites but knowledge of the involved metabolizing enzymes is limited. The aim of the current study was to identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms involved in the metabolism of LSD to 6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (nor-LSD) and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD (O-H-LSD) in vitro, in order to evaluate potential effects of enzyme polymorphisms or prescription drugs on LSD pharmacokinetics. Additionally, interactions of LSD and both metabolites with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors were assessed. LSD was incubated with human liver microsomes over 4 h and the production of nor-LSD and O-H-LSD was quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolism was inhibited by the addition of specific CYP inhibitors. Additionally, recombinant CYPs were used to verify the inhibition results obtained with microsomes and induction of metabolism was investigated in human hepatocyte-derived cells. Radioligand binding and calcium mobilization assays were used to determine 5-HT receptor affinities and activities, respectively. Human liver microsomes displayed minor metabolite formation (<1% metabolized) over 4 h. CYP2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 significantly contributed to the formation of nor-LSD, and CYP1A2, 2C9, 2E1, and 3A4 were significantly involved in the formation of O-H-LSD. These findings could be verified using recombinant CYPs. Enzyme induction with rifampicin distinctly increased the formation of both metabolites, whereas treatment with omeprazole only slightly increased formation of nor-LSD. LSD and nor-LSD were pharmacologically active at the 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors. Nor-LSD mainly differed from the parent compound by having a lower affinity to the 5-HT2C receptor. O-H-LSD displayed substantially weaker affinity and activity at serotonergic receptors in comparison to LSD. To conclude, human liver microsomes converted only small amounts of LSD to nor-LSD and O-H-LSD but several CYPs significantly contributed. Genetic polymorphisms and drug interactions could therefore influence pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LSD. Nor-LSD likely has hallucinogenic activity similar to LSD, whereas O-H-LSD is inactive. Drug-drug interaction studies in humans are required to further assess the clinical relevance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Urs Duthaler
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Toro-Sazo M, Brea J, Loza MI, Cimadevila M, Cassels BK. 5-HT2 receptor binding, functional activity and selectivity in N-benzyltryptamines. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209804. [PMID: 30629611 PMCID: PMC6328172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The last fifteen years have seen the emergence and overflow into the drug scene of "superpotent" N-benzylated phenethylamines belonging to the "NBOMe" series, accompanied by numerous research articles. Although N-benzyl substitution of 5-methoxytryptamine is known to increase its affinity and potency at 5-HT2 receptors associated with psychedelic activity, N-benzylated tryptamines have been studied much less than their phenethylamine analogs. To further our knowledge of the activity of N-benzyltryptamines, we have synthesized a family of tryptamine derivatives and, for comparison, a few 5-methoxytryptamine analogs with many different substitution patterns on the benzyl moiety, and subjected them to in vitro affinity and functional activity assays vs. the human 5-HT2 receptor subtypes. In the binding (radioligand displacement) studies some of these compounds exhibited only modest selectivity for either 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors suggesting that a few of them, with affinities in the 10-100 nanomolar range for 5-HT2A receptors, might presumably be psychedelic. Unexpectedly, their functional (calcium mobilization) assays reflected very different trends. All of these compounds proved to be 5-HT2C receptor full agonists while most of them showed low efficacy at the 5-HT2A subtype. Furthermore, several showed moderate-to-strong preferences for activation of the 5-HT2C subtype at nanomolar concentrations. Thus, although some N-benzyltryptamines might be abuse-liable, others might represent new leads for the development of therapeutics for weight loss, erectile dysfunction, drug abuse, or schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Toro-Sazo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - José Brea
- BioFarma Research Group, CIMUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María I. Loza
- BioFarma Research Group, CIMUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marta Cimadevila
- BioFarma Research Group, CIMUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Bruce K. Cassels
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
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