Substituted cathinone

Cathinone
General chemical structure of substituted cathinones, with R1-R4 defined in text

Substituted cathinones, or simply cathinones, which include some stimulants and entactogens, are derivatives of cathinone. They feature a phenethylamine core with an alkyl group attached to the alpha carbon, and a ketone group attached to the beta carbon, along with additional substitutions.[1][2][3][4][5] Cathinone occurs naturally in the plant khat whose leaves are chewed as a recreational drug.[6]

Substituted cathinones act as monoamine releasing agents and/or monoamine reuptake inhibitors, including of norepinephrine, dopamine, and/or serotonin.[7][8][9][10][11][12] In contrast to substituted amphetamines, substituted cathinones do not act as agonists of the human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1).[13][14][15] This may potentiate their stimulating and addictive effects.[13][14]

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  5. ^ Majchrzak M, Celiński R, Kuś P, Kowalska T, Sajewicz M (2018). "The newest cathinone derivatives as designer drugs: an analytical and toxicological review". Forensic Toxicology. 36 (1): 33–50. doi:10.1007/s11419-017-0385-6. PMC 5754390. PMID 29367861.
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  9. ^ Reith ME, Blough BE, Hong WC, Jones KT, Schmitt KC, Baumann MH, Partilla JS, Rothman RB, Katz JL (February 2015). "Behavioral, biological, and chemical perspectives on atypical agents targeting the dopamine transporter". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 147: 1–19. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.005. PMC 4297708. PMID 25548026.
  10. ^ Rothman RB, Baumann MH (December 2005). "Targeted screening for biogenic amine transporters: potential applications for natural products". Life Sciences. 78 (5): 512–518. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2005.09.001. PMID 16202429.
  11. ^ Rothman RB, Baumann MH, Dersch CM, Romero DV, Rice KC, Carroll FI, Partilla JS (January 2001). "Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin". Synapse. 39 (1): 32–41. doi:10.1002/1098-2396(20010101)39:1<32::AID-SYN5>3.0.CO;2-3. PMID 11071707.
  12. ^ Baumann MH, Ayestas MA, Partilla JS, Sink JR, Shulgin AT, Daley PF, Brandt SD, Rothman RB, Ruoho AE, Cozzi NV (April 2012). "The designer methcathinone analogs, mephedrone and methylone, are substrates for monoamine transporters in brain tissue". Neuropsychopharmacology. 37 (5): 1192–203. doi:10.1038/npp.2011.304. PMC 3306880. PMID 22169943.
  13. ^ a b Kuropka P, Zawadzki M, Szpot P (May 2023). "A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse". Hum Psychopharmacol. 38 (3): e2866. doi:10.1002/hup.2866. PMID 36866677. Another feature that distinguishes [substituted cathinones (SCs)] from amphetamines is their negligible interaction with the trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). Activation of this receptor reduces the activity of dopaminergic neurones, thereby reducing psychostimulatory effects and addictive potential (Miller, 2011; Simmler et al., 2016). Amphetamines are potent agonists of this receptor, making them likely to self‐inhibit their stimulating effects. In contrast, SCs show negligible activity towards TAAR1 (Kolaczynska et al., 2021; Rickli et al., 2015; Simmler et al., 2014, 2016). [...] The lack of self‐regulation by TAAR1 may partly explain the higher addictive potential of SCs compared to amphetamines (Miller, 2011; Simmler et al., 2013).
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