The Effect of Selected Cathinones on Natural Cell Membranes: Microelectrophoretic Methods.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) January 9, 2026 Anna Trynda, Katarzyna Karwowska, Weronika Karpowicz et al.
Synthetic cathinones like mephedrone and clephedrone, popular as cheaper substitutes for stimulants such as cocaine and MDMA, alter the surface charge density of red blood cell and platelet membranes. At tested concentrations of 170 ng/mL and 2700 ng/mL, these compounds change the electrical properties of blood cell membranes, as measured by microelectrophoresis. Despite their presence on the market since 2005, the precise toxicological impacts of synthetic cathinones on the human body remain unknown, underscoring the need for continued research.