ADB ‐HEXINACA—a novel synthetic cannabinoid with a hexyl substituent: phase I metabolism in authentic urine samples, a case report and prevalence on the German market

A new synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, ADB-HEXINACA, contains a hexyl-substituted tail on the indazole core. Here, we suggest urinary biomarkers as proof of its consumption after in vivo and in vitro analysis of phase I metabolism. ADB-HEXINACA could be encountered in fatal cases and shows alternating prevalence in German forensic samples. AbstractSynthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are one of the largest groups of new psychoactive substances (NPS). Yet, another novel analog started spreading on the NPS market around 2021. Soon after, the substance could be analytically characterized in herbal material as ADB-HEXINACA, an SCRA containing a hexyl-substituted tail on the indazole core. Here, we present suitable urinary markers to prove the consumption of this analog, a case report of acute polydrug intoxication and data on its prevalence in Germany. Anticipated phase I metabolites were detected in 12 authentic urine samples that were collected for abstinence control and analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-qToF-MS). The results of in vivo samples were confirmed by analysis of in vitro incubates with pooled human liver microsomes (pHLMs). Forensic samples were used to assess the prevalence of ADB-HEXINACA. Thirty-two phase I metabolites were detected in the authentic urine samples. The main metabolites resulted from amide hydrolysis in combination with either monohydroxylation or ketone formati...
Source: Drug Testing and Analysis - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research