Off-target activity of NBOMes and NBOMe analogs at the mu opioid receptorShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: Archives of Toxicology, ISSN 0340-5761, E-ISSN 1432-0738, Vol. 97, no 5, p. 1367-1384Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are introduced on the illicit drug market at a rapid pace. Their molecular targets are often inadequately elucidated, which contributes to the delayed characterization of their pharmacological effects. Inspired by earlier findings, this study set out to investigate the mu opioid receptor (MOR) activation potential of a large set of psychedelics, substances which typically activate the serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor as their target receptor. We observed that some substances carrying the N-benzyl phenethylamine (NBOMe) structure activated MOR, as confirmed by both the NanoBiT (R) beta arr2 recruitment assay and the G protein-based AequoScreen (R) Ca2+ release assay. The use of two orthogonal systems proved beneficial as some aspecific, receptor independent effects were found for various analogs when using the Ca2+ release assay. The specific off-target effects at MOR could be blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone, suggesting that these NBOMes occupy the same common opioid binding pocket as conventional opioids. This was corroborated by molecular docking, which revealed the plausibility of multiple interactions of 25I-NBOMe with MOR, similar to those observed for opioids. Additionally, structure-activity relationship findings seen in vitro were rationalized in silico for two 25I-NBOMe isomers. Overall, as MOR activity of these psychedelics was only noticed at high concentrations, we consider it unlikely that for the tested compounds there will be a relevant opioid toxicity in vivo at physiologically relevant concentrations. However, small modifications to the original NBOMe structure may result in a panel of more efficacious and potent MOR agonists, potentially exhibiting a dual MOR/5-HT2A activation potential.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
SPRINGER HEIDELBERG , 2023. Vol. 97, no 5, p. 1367-1384
Keywords [en]
Bioassay; mu opioid receptor; NBOMe; Off-target; Psychedelics; Molecular docking
National Category
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-192676DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03465-9ISI: 000941285300001PubMedID: 36853332OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-192676DiVA, id: diva2:1746453
Note
Funding Agencies|Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [1S54521N]; Marie H. Deventer, Eurostars-2 Joint Programme (European Commission (Euro-stars-2); NPS-REFORM) [2021-10]; European Union; Styrkeomradet i forensiska vetenskaper (Strategic Research Area in Forensic Sciences); Drug Policies Department, Presidency of the Council of Ministers (Italy); [E! 113377]; [2019-03566]
2023-03-282023-03-282024-03-19Bibliographically approved