Novel Psychoactive Phenethylamines: Impact on Genetic Material.

Several psychedelic and stimulating phenethylamines, including 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, and 25B-NBOMe, but not MDMA, damaged DNA in a human cell line (TK6 cells). The genetic damage was detected as an increase in micronucleus frequency. All genotoxic substances also elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggesting ROS production as a likely mechanism. Even at doses that do not cause immediate severe harm, exposure to these substances may still pose long-term risks through genotoxicity.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelic and stimulating phenethylamines belong to the family of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The acute toxicity framework has begun to be investigated, while studies showing genotoxic potential are very limited or not available. Therefore, in order to fill this gap, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the genotoxicity by treating TK6 cells with 2C-H, 2C-I, 2C-B, 25B-NBOMe, and the popular 3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). On the basis of cytotoxicity and cytostasis results, we selected the concentrations (6.25-35 µM) to be used in genotoxicity analysis. We used the micronucleus (MN) as indicator of genetic damage and analyzed the MNi frequency fold increase by an automated flow cytometric protocol. All substances, except MDMA, resulted genotoxic; therefore, we evaluated reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction as a possible mechanism at the basis of the demonstrated genotoxicity. The obtained results showed a statistically significant increase in ROS levels for all genotoxic phenethylamines confirming this hypothesis. Our results highlight the importance of genotoxicity evaluation for a complete assessment of the risk associated also with NPS exposure. Indeed, the subjects who do not have hazardous behaviors or require hospitalization by using active but still "safe" doses could run into genotoxicity and in the well-known long-term effects associated.