α-Pyrrolidinophenones: a new wave of designer cathinones

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in the number and prevalence of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs). Among them, pyrovalerone derivatives, including 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (3,4-MDPV), α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP), α-pyrrolidinobutiophenone (α-PBP), α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (α-PPP), α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP), α-pyrrolidinoheptanophenone (α-PHPP), α-pyrrolidinooctanophenone (α-POP) and their substituted analogs, form a subgroup of designer cathinones endowed with highly pronounced psychostimulant effects, and these deserve special attention by healthcare specialists. This review focuses on recent members of this group, their in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of action and pharmacological activities, and their main metabolic pathways. The toxic properties of pyrovalerone derivatives are summarized, along with numerous case reports of fatal and non-fatal intoxications. Pyrovalerone derivatives are also associated with a growing number of reports of DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) and multidrug abuse, suggesting that they should be considered as posing a serious threat to public health.