Analytical profile, in vitro metabolism and behavioral properties of the lysergamide 1P‐AL‐LAD. Issue 8 (29th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brandt, Simon D.; Kavanagh, Pierce V.; Westphal, Folker; Pulver, Benedikt; Schwelm, Hannes M.; Whitelock, Kyla; Stratford, Alexander; Auwärter, Volker; Halberstadt, Adam L.
• Is Part Of: Drug testing and analysis. Volume 14:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1503
• Page End: 1518
• Publication Date: 2022-05-29
• Subjects: 5‐HT2A receptor -- LSD -- new psychoactive substances -- psychedelics; Drugs -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Drug testing -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; 615.1901
• DOI: 10.1002/dta.3281
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-7603

Abstract

Abstract: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is known to induce powerful psychoactive effects in humans, which cemented its status as an important tool for clinical research. A range of analogues and derivatives has been investigated over the years, including those classified as new psychoactive substances. This study presents the characterization of the novel lysergamide N, N ‐diethyl‐1‐propanoyl‐6‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐9, 10‐didehydroergoline‐8β‐carboxamide (1P‐AL‐LAD) using various mass spectrometric, gas‐ and liquid chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. In vitro metabolism studies using pooled human liver microsomes (pHLM) confirmed that 1P‐AL‐LAD converted to AL‐LAD as the most abundant metabolite consistent with the hypothesis that 1P‐AL‐LAD may act as a prodrug. Fourteen metabolites were detected in total; metabolic reactions included hydroxylation of the core lysergamide ring structure or the N 6 ‐allyl group, formation of dihydrodiol metabolites, N ‐dealkylation, N 1 ‐deacylation, dehydrogenation, and combinations thereof. The in vivo behavioral activity of 1P‐AL‐LAD was evaluated using the mouse head twitch response (HTR), a 5‐HT2A ‐mediated head movement that serves as a behavioral proxy in rodents for human hallucinogenic effects. 1P‐AL‐LAD induced a dose‐dependent increase in HTR counts with an inverted U‐shaped dose–response function, similar to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and other psychedelics. Following intraperitoneal injection, the median effective dose (ED50 ) for 1P‐AL‐LAD was 491 nmol/kg, making it almost three times less potent than AL‐LAD (174.9 nmol/kg). Previous studies have shown that N 1 ‐substitution disrupts the ability of lysergamides to activate the 5‐HT2A receptor; based on the in vitro metabolism data, 1P‐AL‐LAD may induce the HTR because it acts as a prodrug and is metabolized to AL‐LAD after administration to mice. Abstract : In‐depth analytical characterization of the novel lysergamide 1P‐AL‐LAD together with the identification of 14 phase I metabolites using pHLM and detection of AL‐LAD as the most abundant metabolite. Behavioral effects were assessed in mice using the head‐twitch response (HTR) and it was confirmed that 1P‐AL‐LAD produced a dose‐dependent increase in HTR counts with a median effective dose of 236 μg/kg (491 nmol/kg). The data suggest that 1P‐AL‐LAD shows behavioral properties also seen with LSD and other serotonergic psychedelics.