Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications
November 9, 2023
Anne Alves Macedo, Luciano C Arantes, Dilton Martins Pimentel et al.
13 citations
A new electrochemical screening method using a multi-wall carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode combined with square wave voltammetry can detect LSD in forensic samples quickly and reliably. The method shows high stability, with less than 5% variation in measurements, a linear detection range from 0.16 to 40.0 μmol L-1, and a low detection limit of 0.05 μmol L-1. Tests with twenty-three other substances, including phenethylamines and other illicit drugs, demonstrate strong selectivity for LSD. This approach provides a sensitive, reproducible, and straightforward tool for preliminary identification of LSD in seized samples.
European journal of pharmacology
September 15, 2023
Barbara G Ferri, Cintia O De Novais, Raquel S Bonani et al.
11 citations
Synthetic psychedelics 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH, which act on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, reduced depressive-like behavior in male adult rats. In the forced swimming test, both substances produced significantly greater motivation to escape compared to controls, suggesting antidepressant properties. All doses (0.1, 1, and 3 mg/kg) caused hallucinogenic effects as measured by head twitch responses. Locomotor activity in the open field test was unaffected except at the highest dose (3 mg/kg), which reduced movement. These findings indicate that a single dose of these compounds may have antidepressant potential, contributing to psychedelic research for psychiatric treatments.
Talanta
August 15, 2024
Larissa M A Melo, Lucas V de Faria, Luciano C Arantes et al.
8 citations
A fully 3D-printed electrochemical double cell (3D-EDC) allows selective detection of LSD and two phenethylamine classes (NBOHs and NBOMes) in seized blotter papers. The system can use two working electrodes (boron-doped diamond and 3D-printed graphite) or two pH levels (4.0 and 12.0) with a graphite electrode, enabling fast, robust, and sensitive analysis. The method shows good stability (relative standard deviation <9% for current and <5% for potential), a broad linear range (20-100 and 20-70 μmol L⁻¹), and a low limit of detection (1.0 μmol L⁻¹) for LSD quantification. This provides a practical, cost-effective on-site screening tool for forensic analysis.
Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications
November 14, 2024
Anne Alves Macedo, Dilton Martins Pimentel, Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo et al.
6 citations
Discarded screen-printed electrodes can be recoated with a graphite and chitosan mixture to create a reusable sensor for detecting the recreational drug 2C-B in oral fluid and seized samples. The sensor, called SPE-Gr/CTS, detects 2C-B electrochemically with a linear range from 0.05 to 7.5 μmol L⁻¹ and a detection limit of 0.015 μmol L⁻¹. Responses are stable across different electrodes, with relative standard deviation below 5.0%. The method is selective for 2C-B even when seventeen other illicit drugs or adulterants are present. Real seized and oral fluid samples were analyzed, and results matched those from LC-MS. The device offers a rapid, portable, and environmentally friendly screening tool for forensic analysis, using only 50 μL of sample.
ACS omega
April 29, 2025
Cláudia Mancilha Rocha, Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo, Augusto César Carvalho Santos et al.
5 citations
A new screening method combining a color change and an electrochemical signal can identify LSD and related drugs (NBOHs, NBOMes, 2Cs) on blotter papers. The method uses Emerson's reagent to produce a color change and a voltammetric measurement on a graphite electrode to detect the drugs. It provides three distinct responses for NBOHs, allowing unambiguous identification, and can distinguish between different drug types. The technique is stable (less than 2.3% variability), sensitive (detection limit of 0.3 μg per mL), and works across a wide concentration range (10 to 1000 μg per mL). When tested on 33 real seized samples, the results matched those from standard confirmatory methods, offering a simple and fast tool for forensic screening.
Neuroscience letters
June 21, 2024
Barbara G Ferri, Cintia O De Novais, Viviana C T Rojas et al.
3 citations
In a rat model of sepsis-associated encephalopathy, the psychedelic phenethylamine 25H-NBOMe reduced depressive-like behaviors and signs of neuroinflammation. Rats that underwent cecal ligation and puncture surgery to induce sepsis showed decreased immobility and increased swimming times in the forced swim test after treatment, indicating fewer depressive symptoms. The compound also increased head-twitch responses, confirming its psychoactive effects, and lowered GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting reduced astrogliosis. The findings indicate that 25H-NBOMe can alleviate post-sepsis depression and neuroinflammation, but its psychedelic properties warrant investigation of similar compounds with fewer psychoactive effects.