The Pharmacological Profile of Second Generation Pyrovalerone Cathinones and Related Cathinone Derivative
Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Jan Thomann, Marius C. Hoener, Matthias E. Liechti
International Journal of Molecular Sciences July 31, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158277 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | HEK293 cells overexpressing human norepinephrine, dopamine, or serotonin transporters |
| Intervention | NEH |
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Keywords | Cathinone Pharmacology Potency Dopamine transporter Monoamine neurotransmitter Ic50 Serotonin transporter Receptor |
| Citations | 35 |
| Key points | All tested pyrovalerone cathinones are potent dopamine and norepinephrine transporter inhibitors with no serotonin transporter activity at concentrations below 10 µM, and 4F-PBP and NEH show high selectivity for the dopamine transporter, indicating strong psychostimulant effects and high abuse liability. |
Abstract
Pyrovalerone cathinones are potent psychoactive substances that possess a pyrrolidine moiety. Pyrovalerone-type novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are continuously detected but their pharmacology and toxicology are largely unknown. We assessed several pyrovalerone and related cathinone derivatives at the human norepinephrine (NET), dopamine (DAT), and serotonin (SERT) uptake transporters using HEK293 cells overexpressing each respective transporter. We examined the transporter-mediated monoamine efflux in preloaded cells. The receptor binding and activation potency was also assessed at the 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors. All pyrovalerone cathinones were potent DAT (IC50 = 0.02–8.7 μM) and NET inhibitors (IC50 = 0.03–4.6 μM), and exhibited no SERT activity at concentrations < 10 μM. None of the compounds induced monoamine efflux. NEH was a potent DAT/NET inhibitor (IC50 = 0.17–0.18 μM). 4F-PBP and NEH exhibited a high selectivity for the DAT (DAT/SERT ratio = 264–356). Extension of the alkyl chain enhanced NET and DAT inhibition potency, while presence of a 3,4-methylenedioxy moiety increased SERT inhibition potency. Most compounds did not exhibit any relevant activity at other monoamine receptors. In conclusion, 4F-PBP and NEH were selective DAT/NET inhibitors indicating that these substances likely produce strong psychostimulant effects and have a high abuse liability.