25C-NBOMe, a Novel Designer Psychedelic, Induces Neurotoxicity 50 Times More Potent Than Methamphetamine In Vitro.
Neurotoxicity Research May 1, 2019 Peng Xu, Qiyang Qiu, Haijie Li et al.
25C-NBOMe, a high-potency psychedelic acting on the 5-HT2A receptor, reduced cell viability in SH-SY5Y, PC12, and SN4741 cells with IC50 values of 89, 78, and 62 μM, respectively. Methamphetamine reduced viability at millimolar IC50 values in the same tests, making 25C-NBOMe over 50 times more potent than methamphetamine in reducing SH-SY5Y cell viability. 25C-NBOMe increased phosphorylated ERK expression and decreased phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated Ser9-GSK3β. GSK3β inhibitors or MEK inhibitors prevented 25C-NBOMe-induced neurotoxicity, suggesting inhibition of the Akt pathway and activation of the ERK cascade are involved.