Metabolic Fate of Hallucinogenic NBOMes
Sebastian Leth‐Petersen, Charlotte Gabel‐Jensen, Nic Gillings, Szabolzs Lehel, Hanne D. Hansen, Gitte M. Knudsen, Jesper L. Kristensen
Chemical Research in Toxicology December 16, 2015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5b00450 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe metabolism of the potent psychedelic compound 25B-NBOMe, an illicit drug linked to several fatalities, was studied in pigs and humans. The primary metabolic pathway is 5'-demethylation, followed by conjugation to glucuronic acid. These findings were confirmed by carbon-11 labeling of 25B-NBOMe in three different positions and in vivo evaluation in both species.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Pigs and humans |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Chemistry Pharmacology Medicine |
| Citations | 43 |
| Key finding | The primary route of metabolism of 25B-NBOMe is 5'-demethylation, followed by conjugation to glucuronic acid. |
Abstract
2,5-Dimethoxy-N-benzylphenethylamines (NBOMes) are very potent 5-HT2AR agonists. Illicit use of these psychedelic compounds has emerged in recent years, and several fatalities have been linked to their recreational use. In its [(11)C]-labeled form, one NBOMe (25B-NBOMe) was recently developed as a PET-ligand for clinical investigations of 5HT2AR ([(11)C]Cimbi-36). Herein, we have identified the phase I and phase II metabolites of 25B-NBOMe in pigs as well as in humans. We find that the primary route of metabolism is 5'-demethylation, followed by conjugation to glucuronic acid. Carbon-11 labeling of 25B-NBOMe in three different positions followed by in vivo evaluation in pigs and humans corroborated these findings.