International journal of molecular sciences
December 17, 2020
Veronica Cocchi, Sofia Gasperini, Patrizia Hrelia et al.
32 citations
Several psychedelic and stimulating phenethylamines, including 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, and 25B-NBOMe, but not MDMA, damaged DNA in a human cell line (TK6 cells). The genetic damage was detected as an increase in micronucleus frequency. All genotoxic substances also elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggesting ROS production as a likely mechanism. Even at doses that do not cause immediate severe harm, exposure to these substances may still pose long-term risks through genotoxicity.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2022
Micaela Tirri, Sabrine Bilel, Raffaella Arfè et al.
17 citations
Psychedelic phenethylamines, especially -NBOMe compounds, impair sensorimotor function, reaction time, and sensory gating in mice more potently than LSD or their 2C analogs. Halogenated derivatives 25I-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe were the most effective at altering visual and acoustic responses, motor activity, and prepulse inhibition. The rank order of potency showed these -NBOMe compounds were stronger than both 2C analogs and LSD. These sensory impairments affected spontaneous movement and reaction time without changing stimulated motor performance. The findings suggest that -NBOMe compounds pose potential public health risks, particularly for driving or hazardous work requiring intact sensorimotor skills.
Brain Sciences
August 25, 2020
Micaela Tirri, Luisa Ponzoni, Sabrine Bilel et al.
9 citations
Two new psychoactive substances, DOB and PMA, which are structurally similar to MDMA and sold as ecstasy, impair motor behavior and sensorimotor responses in mice and induce hallucinatory states in zebrafish. In CD-1 male mice, acute administration of DOB and PMA (0.01–30 mg/kg) reduced spontaneous locomotion and disrupted prepulse inhibition of startle responses to visual, acoustic, and tactile stimuli. In zebrafish, lower doses of DOB (0.075–2 mg/kg) and PMA (0.0005–0.5 mg/kg) decreased swimming activity and reduced a hallucinatory score, indicating pro-psychedelic effects. These findings suggest the substances alter sensorimotor gating and may produce hallucinogen-like states.
Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2024
Marta Bassi, Sabrine Bilel, Micaela Tirri et al.
7 citations
5-MeO-MiPT, a new psychedelic tryptamine first identified in Italy in 2014, dose-dependently inhibits sensorimotor responses and prepulse inhibition in male CD-1 mice, and at high doses (30 mg/kg) impairs stimulated motor activity and causes cardiorespiratory changes. In silico ADMET predictions indicate its toxicokinetic profile resembles those of 5-MeO-DIPT and DMT, with a cytochrome-related risk. Correspondence between effects in mice and symptoms from a human intoxication case suggests consumption can impair activity performance and pose health risks, but the authors argue the compound should not be excluded from psychiatric therapy research.
Drug testing and analysis
May 1, 2023
Marta Massano, Enrico Gerace, Martina Borsari et al.
6 citations
Methoxpropamine (MXPr), a dissociative drug similar to ketamine, was studied in 16 mice to track how it breaks down in the body. After injecting the mice with 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg of MXPr, urine was collected hourly for six hours and then at 12- to 24-hour intervals; plasma was collected after 24 hours. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, the main metabolite found in urine was desmethyl-MXPr-glucuronide, detectable up to 24 hours after administration. NorMXPr, produced by N-dealkylation, appeared in urine, plasma, and fur. Other metabolites in fur and plasma included desmethyl-MXPr and dihydro-MXPr. Understanding these metabolites can help improve toxicological screening for MXPr in biological samples.