Types Of Synthetic Cannabinoids Research Articles

Determination of AB-FUBINACA and 5F-NPB-22 in rats exposed to "Bonsai" via inhalation and analysis of seized product.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the most rapidly growing class of recreational designer drugs. Illicit drug manufacturers began to produce herbal smoking materials under a variety of brands names, e.g. "Spice, K2, Bonsai, Yucatan Fire". They were appeared on the European market in 2008. In this study, types of SCs in the herbal product sold as "Bonsai" in Turkey were determined and the identification of these substances in biological samples collected from rats depending on the inhalation of different amounts of plant material were aimed. To determine the SC species in the content of the plant product, analysis was performed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Liquid-liquid extraction methods were utilized for blood and organ samples, while solid-phase extraction with β-glucuronidase enzyme treatment was applied for urine sample preparation. The relationship between the amount of burned plant and the amount of SCs accumulated in the blood, urine and organ samples of rats exposed to the plant product by inhalation was examined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. AB-FUBINACA and 5F-NPB-22 were detected in the herbal product. A significant correlation was found between the amount of herbal product inhaled and the prevalence of SCs, especially in lung tissues while no SCs were detected in the blood and urine samples of rats. There is currently no study on biological samples of individuals exposed to herbal products containing SCs by inhalation. Regarding the findings obtained in this study, the overall increase in the amounts of herbal product inhaled was demonstrated to pose a potential risk to humans.

Simultaneous determination of synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites in human hair using LC-MS/MS and application to human hair

Hair is one of the key samples for judging drug abuse in the field of forensic science. However, few studies have examined synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites in human hair. Synthetic cannabinoids are a class of chemicals that bind to cannabinoid receptors, but they differ structurally from the cannabinoids found in cannabis. They have been sold sprayed on dried, shredded plant material under brand names such as “Spice” since the 2000s. In South Korea, synthetic cannabinoids have been widely distributed since 2009 and many types detected up to now. Unlike traditional drugs such as methamphetamine and cannabis, the abuse trends of synthetic cannabinoids were variable by regions and changed according to the times. If new types of synthetic cannabinoids become popular which has been altered in some structures, it becomes difficult to identify using exist analytical method. Therefore, it is important to develop a new analytical method for synthetic cannabinoids currently being abused in society. In this study, we developed simultaneous analytical methods for the detection of 18 synthetic cannabinoids and 41 of their metabolites in authentic human hair samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Selectivity, linearity, limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery, and process efficiency were evaluated, and all results were acceptable. Additionally, the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids in the head hair of Korean drug abusers from 2016 to 2018 was investigated. Hair samples from 43 individuals suspected of synthetic cannabinoid use were provided by law enforcement agencies. The drugs detected most prevalently in the head hair of Korean drug abusers were AB-CHMINACA and JWH-210.

Identification of synthetic cannabinoids that were seized, consumed, or associated with deaths in Kuwait in 2018 using GC–MS and LC–MS-MS analysis

Synthetic cannabinoids are gaining much popularity worldwide. Although the death rate associated with their use is rising, these drugs are the largest and fastest growing class of novel psychoactive substances. Despite increased concerns regarding adverse effects stemming from the use of synthetic cannabinoids, there is no published data on the subject for the Gulf region or Kuwait, specifically. The current study investigates the diversity of synthetic cannabinoids in Kuwait in 2018. In total, 434 cases from the Narcotics and Psychotropic Laboratory, 70 cases from the Toxicology Laboratory, and six cases from the Forensic Medicine Department were reviewed and analyzed. Numerous synthetic cannabinoid types were identified using GC–MS and LC–MS-MS. The majority of synthetic cannabinoids were members of the indazole-3-carboxamide or indole-3-carboxamide families. Members from the indazole-3-carboxamide family identified in Kuwait were 5F-ADB, FUB-AMB, ADB-FUBINACA, AB-FUBINACA, 5F-ADB-PINACA, 5F-AKB-48, 5Cl-AKB-48, MDMB-FUBINACA, 5F-AB-PINACA, APINACA, and AB-PINACA whereas MDMB−CHMICA, 5F-MDMB-PICA, ADB-BICA, and MMB−CHMICA belonged to the indole-3-carboxamide family. In addition, members of other families were identified, including CBL2201 and UR-144, which belonged to indole-3-carboxylate and cyclopropylindole families, respectively. The most common synthetic cannabinoids were 5F-ADB, FUB-AMB, and 5Cl-AKB-48. Various mixes of two, three, or four types of synthetic cannabinoids were identified, and mixtures of synthetic cannabinoids with other illicit drugs were also present. Our findings show that in Kuwait, the most common mix of synthetic cannabinoids is FUB-AMB with 5F-ADB. These two types were mixed, either together or individually, with methamphetamine, tramadol, heroin, Δ9THC, and ketamine. Most importantly, our results reveal the synthetic cannabinoid types that were associated with six reported deaths.

The Synthetic Cannabinoids Phenomenon.

« Spice » is generally used to describe the diverse types of herbal blends that encompass synthetic cannabinoids on the market. The emergence of smokable herbal products containing synthetic cannabinoids, which mimic the effects of cannabis, appears to become increasingly popular, in the new psychoactive substances landscape. In 2014, the existence of 134 different types of synthetic cannabinoids were reported by the European Union Early Warning System. These drugs are mainly sold online as an alternative to controlled and regulated psychoactive substances. They appear to have a life cycle of about 1-2 years before being replaced by a next wave of products. Legislation controlling these designer drugs has been introduced in many countries with the objective to limit the spread of existing drugs and control potential new analogs. The majority of the synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists at the CB1 receptor and do not contain tobacco or cannabis. They are becoming increasingly popular in adolescents, students and clubbers as an abused substance. Relatively high incidence of adverse effects associated with synthetic cannabinoids use has been documented in the literature. Numerous fatalities linked with their use and abuse have been reported. In this paper, we will review the available data regarding the use and effects of synthetic cannabinoids in humans in order to highlight their impact on public health. To reach this objective, a literature search was performed on two representative databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar), the Erowid Center website (a US non-profit educational organization that provides information about psychoactive plants and chemicals), and various governmental websites. The terms used for the database search were: "synthetic cannabinoids", "spice", "new psychoactive substances", and/or "substance use disorder", and/or "adverse effects", and/or "fatalities". The search was limited to years 2005 to 2016 due to emerging scientific literature at this period Health professionals should take into account that limited scientific evidence is available regarding the effect of synthetic cannabinoids use in humans. It thus urges to launch more systematic epidemiological studies, to develop and validate screening procedures, and to investigate the neurobiological and psychological correlates and risk factors associated to synthetic cannabinoids use and misuse.

Changes in the prevalence of new psychoactive substances before and after the introduction of the generic scheduling of synthetic cannabinoids in Japan

To counter the spread of the many analogues of psychoactive substances, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan was amended in 2006 to establish a new category - Designated Substances - in order to more promptly control these drugs. As of March 2013, 106 substances (including one plant, Salvia divinorum) were listed in the category of Designated Substances, and 13 of them had had their category changed from Designated Substances into the much stricter category, Narcotics. However, new analogues of controlled substances, especially synthetic cannabinoids, appeared one-by-one since the new category was introduced. To avoid a cat-and-mouse game between regulators and illicit drug manufacturers, a comprehensive system (generic scheduling) for designating naphthoylindole-type synthetic cannabinoids, with particular substituents, was introduced into the Designated Substances in 2013. Since late 2012, the naphthoylindole-type compounds have been gradually replaced by other types of synthetic cannabinoids, such as cyclopropylmethanones, cannabimimetic carboxamide derivatives, adamanthoyl indoles, and cannabimimetic quinolinyl carboxylates. After the enforcement of the generic scheduling for designating naphthoylindoles in March 2013, these naphthoylindoles have been completely replaced by other types and have rarely been detected in the products. New types of psychoactive substances, including opioid receptor agonists (e.g. AH-7921, MT-45), hallucinogenic phenethylamines (e.g. NBOMe-type compounds), and thiophene derivatives (e.g. methiopropamine, α-PVT) have also appeared. The almost infinite possibilities of altered structures of chemicals make it difficult to carry out effective and exhaustive scheduling. To prevent the widespread distribution and abuse of these new psychoactive substances, continuous and dedicated monitoring for the emergence of these substances is necessary.

Erratum to: Two new synthetic cannabinoids, AM-2201 benzimidazole analog (FUBIMINA) and (4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methanone (MEPIRAPIM), and three phenethylamine derivatives, 25H-NBOMe 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl analog, 25B-NBOMe, and 2C-N-NBOMe, identified in illegal products

Two new types of synthetic cannabinoids, an AM-2201 benzimidazole analog (FUBIMINA, 1) and (4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methanone (MEPIRAPIM, 2), and three newly emerged phenethylamine derivatives, 25B-NBOMe (3), 2C-N-NBOMe (4), and a 25H-NBOMe 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl analog (5), were detected in illegal products distributed in Japan. The identification was based on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), high-resolution MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Different from the representative synthetic cannabinoids, such as JWH-018, which have a naphthoylindole moiety, compounds 1 and 2 were completely new types of synthetic cannabinoids; compound 1 had a benzimidazole group in place of an indole group, and compound 2 had a 4-methylpiperazine group in place of the naphthyl group. Compounds 3 and 4 were N-o-methoxybenzyl derivatives of 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines (25-NBOMe series), which had been previously detected in European countries, but have newly emerged in Japan. Compound 5 had an N-trimethoxybenzyl group in place of an N-o-methoxybenzyl group. Data on the chemistry and pharmacology of compounds 1, 2, and 5 have never been reported to our knowledge.

Changes in the prevalence of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinone derivatives in Japan until early 2012

The changes in the prevalence of designer drugs and their legal status in Japan were investigated on the basis of the analyses of 686 different products containing synthetic cannabinoids and/or cathinone derivatives obtained from 2009 to February 2012. In the early stages of distribution of herbal-type products containing synthetic cannabinoids, cyclohexylphenols and naphthoylindoles were mostly found in the products. In November 2009, however, cannabicyclohexanol, CP-47,497 and JWH-018 were controlled as “designated substances” under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, and the cyclohexylphenols have since disappeared from the illegal drug market and been replaced by various analogs of the naphthoylindoles, phenylacetylindoles and benzoylindoles. These compounds, which have high affinities for the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, have become very popular, and the number of emergency hospitalizations associated with their use has dramatically increased from 2011. Other synthetic compounds with different structures and pharmacological effects, such as cathinone derivatives, have been detected together with the synthetic cannabinoids in herbal-type products since 2011. Moreover, many new types of synthetic cannabinoids, different from the four typical structures described, have also begun to appear since 2011. In addition to the synthetic cannabinoids, liquid or powdery-type products containing cathinone derivatives have been widely distributed recently. In 2009, the most popular cathinone derivative was 4-methylmethcathinone. After this compound was controlled as a designated substance in November 2009, cathinone derivatives, which have a pyrrolidine structure at the nitrogen atom and a 3,4-methylenedioxy structure, or analogs of 4-methylmethcathinone, became popular. In the present analysis, tryptamines were also detected in 31 % of the products containing cathinone derivatives. Local anesthetics such as procaine, lidocaine, benzocaine and dimethocaine were also frequently detected. In total, we identified at least 35 synthetic cannabinoids and 22 cathinone derivatives during this survey.