Anti-Methcathinone polyclonal antibody

We have identified a new compound in capsules marketed as plant feeders available from internet suppliers. It is apparent from internet forums that these so-called plant feeders are being used as recreational drugs. The material is identified as being 3'-fluoromethcathinone. The compound in the capsule was identified by GC-MS, I H, (13)C and (19)F NMR as well as FTIR. Other materials identified in the tablet were caffeine and a methylamine salt. The exact position of the fluorine in the fluoromethcathinone was determined by comparison with materials synthesised in our laboratory. Internet-based companies are known to sell 4'-fluoromethcathinone (flephedrone). We present GC-MS data for the three isomers of fluoromethcathinone and their N-acetyl derivatives and provide a rapid method for determining the positional isomers of fluoromethcathinone using FTIR or (19)F NMR. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cathinones are a class of drugs used to treat various medical conditions including depression, obesity, substance abuse, and muscle spasms. Some "designer" cathinones, such as methcathinone, mephedrone, and methylone, are used nonclinically for their stimulant or entactogenic properties. Given the recent rise in nonmedical use of designer cathinones, we aimed to improve understanding of cathinone pharmacology by investigating analogs of methcathinone with a CF3 substituent at the 2-, 3-, or 4-position of the phenyl ring (TFMAPs). We compared the TFMAPs with methcathinone for effects on monoamine uptake transporter function in vitro and in vivo, and for effects on locomotor activity in rats. At the serotonin transporter (SERT), 3-TFMAP and 4-TFMAP were 10-fold more potent than methcathinone as uptake inhibitors and as releasing agents, but 2-TFMAP was both a weak uptake inhibitor and releaser. At the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters (NET and DAT), all TFMAP isomers were less potent than methcathinone as uptake inhibitors and releasers. In vivo, 4-TFMAP released 5-HT, but not dopamine, in rat nucleus accumbens and did not affect locomotor activity, whereas methcathinone increased both 5-HT and dopamine and produced locomotor stimulation. These experiments reveal that TFMAPs are substrates for the monoamine transporters and that phenyl ring substitution at the 3- or 4-position increases potency at SERT but decreases potency at NET and DAT, resulting in selectivity for SERT. The TFMAPs might have a therapeutic value for a variety of medical and psychiatric conditions and may have lower abuse liability compared to methcathinone due to their decreased DAT activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.