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Acetaminophen (C8H9NO2, also called paracetamol) is an active metabolite of phenacetin with antipyretic and analgesic effects and has been extensively used as a painkiller. Currently, the problem of pharmaceuticals in water and sewage is common, especially in highly urbanized countries. Laboratory-scale experiments were carried out using an adsorbent—granulated activated carbon (WD-extra)—to remove acetaminophen (ACT) from water. The initial concentration of acetaminophen was 20 mg ACT/dm3. The adsorption kinetics, influence of the pH on adsorption and dose of the used adsorbent were determined under batch conditions. The adsorption of ACT on activated carbon was more efficient when the water solution was acidic (at pH 2, it was the most effective). The highest percentage of removal (99%) was obtained for the WD-extra dose of 10.0 g/dm3. The time taken to establish the dynamic equilibrium of the system was 60 min. The effectiveness of adsorption was determined based on the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. It was found that WD-extra activated carbon effectively removed ACT from water solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the thermodynamic properties of 3-and 4-ethoxyacetanilides. The heat capacities in crystalline, liquid, and supercooled liquid states from 80 to 475 K were obtained using adiabatic, differential scanning (DSC), and fast scanning (FSC) calorimetries. The fusion enthalpies at Tm were combined from DSC measurement results and the literature data. The fusion enthalpies at 298.15 K were evaluated in two independent ways: adjusted according to Kirchhoff's law of thermochemistry, and using Hess' law. For the latter approach, the enthalpies of the solution in DMF in crystalline and supercooled liquid states were derived. The values obtained by the two methods are consistent with each other. The standard thermodynamic functions (entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy) between 80 and 470 K were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenacetin, an antipyretic and analgesic drug, poses a serious health risk to both humans and aquatic organisms, which is of concern since this micropollutant is frequently detected in various aquatic environments. However, rare pure bacterial cultures have been reported to degrade phenacetin. Therefore, in this study, the novel phenacetin-degrading strain PNT-23 was isolated from municipal wastewater and identified as a Rhodococcus sp. based on its morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated strain could completely degrade 100 mg/L phenacetin at an inoculum concentration of OD600 1.5 within 80 h, utilizing the micropollutant as its sole carbon source for growth. Strain PNT-23 exhibited optimal growth in LB medium at 37 °C and a pH of 7.0 with 1% NaCl, while the optimal degradation conditions in minimal medium were 30 °C and a pH of 7.0 with 1% NaCl. Two key intermediates were identified during phenacetin biodegradation by the strain PNT-23: N-acetyl-4-aminophenol and 4-aminophenol. This study provides novel insights into the biodegradation of phenacetin using a pure bacterium culture, expands the known substrate spectra of Rhodococcus strains and presents a potential new candidate for the microbial removal of phenacetin in a diverse range of environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the effects of methanol, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulphoxide or dioxane on enzyme kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of p-nitrophenol hydroxylation, phenacetin deethylation and metoprolol metabolism in rat liver microsomes, at different solvent concentrations. In the case of p-nitrophenol hydroxylation, methanol (0.1 %-0.75 % v/v) and dimethyl sulphoxide (0.01 %-0.075 % v/v) showed 1.3 and 2.5-fold increase respectively, in the Km with a less marked effect on the Vmax. In contrast, dimethyl sulphoxide (0.1 %-0.75% v/v) showed a 1.96-fold decrease in the Vmax. Unlike, methanol and dimethyl sulphoxide, acetonitrile showed activation of the p-nitrophenol hydroxylation activity as indicated by a 0.7-fold decrease in the Km. In the case of metoprolol metabolism, dioxane resulted in a 1.5 to 3.1-fold increase in the Km of all the three metabolite formation pathways in concentration dependent manner, with less marked effect on Vmax of the reaction. Interestingly, while acetonitrile did not affect the Kmfor metabolite 1 and 2 formation, the Km of metabolite 3 formation was decreased in a concentration dependent manner again with little effect on all the three Vmax values. Further, methanol had little to no effect on the Vmax of metabolite 1 and 2 formation while metabolite 3 formation was increased by 2-fold. The Km of all three metabolite formations was found to be decreased in presence of methanol. The phenacetin deethylation activity in rat liver microsomes followed atypical kinetics. Methanol and dimethyl sulphoxide did not affect the auto activation kinetics at concentration range studied. Dimethyl sulphoxide and dioxane appeared to be unsuitable for characterizing the Cytochrome450 mediated reactions because they showed a very significant effect on the Vmax/Km ratio, starting at concentrations of 0.025 % v/v and 0.25 % v/v, respectively. Methanol and acetonitrile at concentration <0.5 % v/v appeared to be acceptable solvents for solubilization of substrates metabolized by Cytochrome450s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenacetin (PNT) is one of the most frequently detected nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the water ecosystems, which poses a potential risk to environmental aquatic organisms. Acid-washed zero-valent aluminum (ZVAl) as a highly efficient activator for persulfate (PS) process was investigated to degrade PNT from the aqueous solution. The results indicated that acid-washed pretreatment for ZVAl could efficiently increase the degradation efficiency of PNT in the PS treatment. The degradation efficiency of PNT (50 μM) was up to 90% in 4 hours with the addition of 0.2 g/L acid-washed ZVAl and 8 mM PS at pH 6.8 and 25 °C. The PNT degradation followed pseudo-first order kinetics in the present system. High activator dosage, PS concentration, and reaction temperature could enhance the PNT degradation. The presence of inorganic anions (i.e., NO3-, HCO3-) and humic acid (HA) showed inhibitory effects on the PNT degradation. The reuse results illustrated the acid-washed ZVAl material would have continuous and efficient activation performance for PS to degrade the PNT. Radical scavenger experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance indicated that both SO4•- and •OH were major reactive species during the PNT degradation. The possible degradation pathways of PNT mainly included the break of C–N and C–O bonds and further oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In utero drug exposure is a significant public health threat to the well-being and normal development of the neonate. Recently, testing of umbilical cord tissue (UCT) has been employed to measure illicit drug exposure, as drugs used by the mother during the third trimester may be retained in the UCT. Focus has also been given to potential adverse health effects among drug users, resulting from exposure to pharmacologically active adulterants and cutting agents in the street drug supply. The in utero effects of these substances have not been well studied in humans, nor has their presence been demonstrated as a means for assessing adverse health effects in the neonate. Here, we describe the application of a novel test method to analyze UCT for the presence of more than 20 common adulterating/cutting substances via LC/Q-TOF. In total, 300 de-identified UCT samples were analyzed–all had previously tested positive for cocaine or opiates. Generally, the positivity rates of individual compounds were similar between the Cocaine and Opiates Subgroups, apart from levamisole, xylazine, dipyrone (metabolites), and promethazine. Many of the adulterants used in the street drug supply do have legitimate medicinal/therapeutic uses, including several of the compounds most frequently detected in this study. Caffeine and lidocaine were the most frequently identified compounds both individually (>70% each) and in combination with each other. Alternatively, levamisole, an adulterant with no legitimate therapeutic use, was present in 12% of cases. Importantly, this data demonstrates that the detection of traditional drugs of abuse may serve as indicators of potential in utero exposure to toxic adulterating substances during gestation. While there is cause for concern with respect to any unintentional drug exposure, illicit drug use during pregnancy, including uncontrolled dosing, poly-adulterant consumption, and the interactions of these drug mixtures, produces a significant public health threat to the neonate which warrants further study.

The solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients is a mandatory physicochemical characteristic in pharmaceutical practice. However, the number of potential solvents and their mixtures prevents direct measurements of all possible combinations for finding environmentally friendly, operational and cost-effective solubilizers. That is why support from theoretical screening seems to be valuable. Here, a collection of acetaminophen and phenacetin solubility data in neat and binary solvent mixtures was used for the development of a nonlinear deep machine learning model using new intuitive molecular descriptors derived from COSMO-RS computations. The literature dataset was augmented with results of new measurements in aqueous binary mixtures of 4-formylmorpholine, DMSO and DMF. The solubility values back-computed with the developed ensemble of neural networks are in perfect agreement with the experimental data, which enables the extensive screening of many combinations of solvents not studied experimentally within the applicability domain of the trained model. The final predictions were presented not only in the form of the set of optimal hyperparameters but also in a more intuitive way by the set of parameters of the Jouyban–Acree equation often used in the co-solvency domain. This new and effective approach is easily extendible to other systems, enabling the fast and reliable selection of candidates for new solvents and directing the experimental solubility screening of active pharmaceutical ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An integral model was developed to determine the nucleation parameters. • A temperature-dependent function of interfacial energy was proposed. • A temperature-dependent pre-exponential factor inversely proportional to the solution viscosity was adopted. • The metastable zone width data of phenacetin in ethanol were analyzed. By incorporating a temperature-dependent function of interfacial energy and a temperature-dependent pre-exponential factor inversely proportional to the solution viscosity, an integral model was developed according to classical nucleation theory to retrieve the nucleation parameters from the metastable zone width (MSZW) data. The developed model was applied to determine the temperature-dependent interfacial energy and pre-exponential factor during the cooling process from the MSZW data for phenacetin in ethanol experimentally measured in this work. For comparison, the interfacial energy and pre-exponential factor for phenacetin in ethanol at various operating temperatures were determined from the induction time data based on the conventional method. The results indicated that the temperature-dependent interfacial energy and pre-exponential factor for phenacetin in ethanol obtained from the MSZW data based on the developed model were consistent with those obtained from the induction time data based on the conventional method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenacetin, an antipyretic and analgesic drug, poses a serious health risk to both humans and aquatic organisms, which is of concern since this micropollutant is frequently detected in various aquatic environments. However, rare pure bacterial cultures have been reported to degrade phenacetin. Therefore, in this study, the novel phenacetin-degrading strain PNT-23 was isolated from municipal wastewater and identified as a Rhodococcus sp. based on its morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated strain could completely degrade 100 mg/L phenacetin at an inoculum concentration of OD600 1.5 within 80 h, utilizing the micropollutant as its sole carbon source for growth. Strain PNT-23 exhibited optimal growth in LB medium at 37 °C and a pH of 7.0 with 1% NaCl, while the optimal degradation conditions in minimal medium were 30 °C and a pH of 7.0 with 1% NaCl. Two key intermediates were identified during phenacetin biodegradation by the strain PNT-23: N-acetyl-4-aminophenol and 4-aminophenol. This study provides novel insights into the biodegradation of phenacetin using a pure bacterium culture, expands the known substrate spectra of Rhodococcus strains and presents a potential new candidate for the microbial removal of phenacetin in a diverse range of environments.

Two coordination compounds, copper (II) fumarate (CuFum) and copper (II) tartrate (CuTart), synthesized from copper (II) with fumaric acid and tartaric acid as ligands and using the slow evaporation method have been applied to study the adsorption of phenacetin in aqueous solution. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR-FT spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The melting points of the synthesized coordination compounds were found to be above 350°C. The influence of parameters such as the initial pH, the contact time, and the initial concentration on the adsorption of phenacetin in an aqueous solution has been studied. The studies showed that adsorption equilibrium was reached after 80 minutes for both coordination compounds; the adsorption capacity increased with increasing phenacetin concentration, and the maximum adsorption capacity was obtained in the acidic medium at pH 4. The adsorbed amount of phenacetin on copper (II) fumarate (CuFum) was 25.158 mg/g while that on copper (II) tartrate (CuTart) was 25.906 mg/g. Nonlinear regression analysis showed the best fit for the Freundlich model isotherm for CuTart with R2 of 0.963 and a Chi-square test (χ2) of 0.529 while for the CuFum material, it is the Redlich-Peterson model with R2 of 0.975 and Chi-square test (χ2) of 0.263. The kinetic study shows that the pseudo-second-order model better describes the adsorption of the two materials. The results show that physisorption and chemisorption participate in the adsorption of phenacetin and that these materials can be used for the elimination of phenacetin in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic adulterants are drug or chemical agents used to add bulk volume to traditional drugs of abuse such as cocaine and heroin. These cutting agents include levamisole, metamizole, noxiptillin, phenacetin and xylazine as well as common legal drugs such as acetaminophen, caffeine, diphenhydramine, lidocaine, quinine, quetiapine and tramadol. Because they possess pharmacological activity they result in exposure of the user, but also in the case of pregnant women, the developing fetus, to potential drug toxicity. We describe the development, validation and implementation of a rapid (48 second sample-to-sample) test based on a qualitative data-dependent liquid chromatography–quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry method for the analysis of toxic adulterating substances in umbilical cord tissue (UCT) samples. The method provides a means of studying potential in utero exposure to these agents. Library spectra comparison at three different collision energies was used in conjunction with retention time and accurate mass to identify these substances in UCT. Analytically based reporting limits were established to determine positivity rates of adulterants in UCT utilizing a standard addition approach. The method was applied to authentic cocaine and opioid positive UCT to screen for toxic adulterants. There were a total of 82 potential adulterant positives found in a 30-sample cohort of authentic UCT samples, with an average of 2.7 substances per case. Lidocaine was the predominant finding followed by caffeine, and diphenhydramine all of which could result from non-illicit drug exposure, however, there were positives for levamisole, phenacetin, noxiptillin and xylazine none of which are approved in the United States for human therapeutic use. This initial set of data established a preliminary positivity rate of potentially toxic adulterants in UCT samples positive for cocaine or opioid use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to ICH S3A Q&A focusing on microsampling, its application should be avoided in main study animals for test drugs that could exacerbate hematological parameters with frequent blood sampling. However, no study has reported the effects of microsampling on toxicity parameters of drugs known to induce hematological toxicity. Therefore, we assessed the toxicological effects of serial microsampling on rats treated with phenacetin as a model drug. In a common 28-day study, 50 μL of microsampling was performed at 6-time points on days 1 to 2 and 7-time points on days 27 to 28 from the jugular vein of Sprague Dawley rats. The study was performed independently by two organizations. The toxicological influence of microsampling was evaluated on body weight, food consumption, hematology, blood clinical chemistry, urine parameters, organ weights, and tissue pathology. Phenacetin treatments induced significant changes of various hematological parameters (including hemoglobin and reticulocytes), some organ weights (including liver and spleen), and some hematology-related pathological parameters in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Meanwhile, serial microsampling exhibited minimal influence on the assessed parameters, although 20 parameters showed statistical differences mostly at one organization. The current results support the notion that serial 50 μL microsampling from the jugular vein had minimal impacts on overall toxicological profiles even in rats treated with a drug inducing hematological toxicity, but the potential adverse effect on certain parameters could not be fully excluded. Accordingly, this microsampling technique has possibility to be employed even for non-clinical rat toxicity studies using drugs with potentially hematological toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), including miR-34a, have been shown to regulate nuclear receptor, drug-metabolizing enzyme, and transporter gene expression in various cell model systems. However, to what degree miRNAs affect pharmacokinetics (PK) at the systemic level remains unknown. In addition, miR-34a replacement therapy represents a new cancer treatment strategy, although it is unknown whether miR-34a therapeutic agents could elicit any drug-drug interactions. To address this question, we refined a practical single-mouse PK approach and investigated the effects of a bioengineered miR-34a agent on the PK of several cytochrome P450 probe drugs (midazolam, dextromethorphan, phenacetin, diclofenac, and chlorzoxazone) administered as a cocktail. This approach involves manual serial blood microsampling from a single mouse and requires a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay, which was able to illustrate the sharp changes in midazolam PK by ketoconazole and pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile as well as phenacetin PK by α-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene. Surprisingly, 3-methylcholanthrene also decreased systemic exposure to midazolam, whereas both pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile and 3-methylcholanthrene largely reduced the exposure to dextromethorphan, diclofenac, and chlorzoxazone. Finally, the biologic miR-34a agent had no significant effects on the PK of cocktail drugs but caused a marginal (45%-48%) increase in systemic exposure to midazolam, phenacetin, and dextromethorphan in mice. In vitro validation of these data suggested that miR-34a slightly attenuated intrinsic clearance of dextromethorphan. These findings from single-mouse PK and corresponding mouse liver microsome models suggest that miR-34a might have minor or no effects on the PK of coadministered cytochrome P450-metabolized drugs.

Context: Direct evidence of Triphala-drug interactions has not been provided to date. Objective: This study was aimed to determine the effects of Triphala on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in vitro, and to investigate pharmacokinetic interactions of Triphala with CYP-probes in rats. Materials and methods: Effects of Triphala on the activities of CYP isoforms and P-gp were examined using human liver microsomes (HLMs) and Caco-2 cells, respectively. Pharmacokinetic interactions between Triphala and CYP-probes (i.e., phenacetin and midazolam) were further examined in rats. Results: Triphala extract inhibited the activities of CYP isoforms in the order of CYP1A2>3A4>2C9>2D6 with the IC50 values of 23.6 ± 9.2, 28.1 ± 9.8, 30.41 ± 16.7 and 93.9 ± 27.5 μg/mL, respectively in HLMs. It exhibited a non-competitive inhibition of CYP1A2 and 2C9 with the Ki values of 23.6 and 30.4 μg/mL, respectively, while its inhibition on CYP3A4 was competitive manner with the Ki values of 64.9 μg/mL. The inhibitory effects of Triphala on CYP1A2 and 3A4 were not time-dependent. Moreover, Triphala did not affect the P-gp activity in Caco-2 cells. Triphala, after its oral co-administration at 500 mg/kg, increased the bioavailabilities of phenacetin and midazolam by about 61.2% and 40.7%, respectively, in rats. Discussion and conclusions: Increases observed in the bioavailabilities of phenacetin and midazolam after oral co-administration of Triphala in rats provided a direct line of evidence to show Triphala-drug interactions via inhibition of CYP1A and CYP3A activities, respectively. These results, together with the lack of time-dependency of CYP 1A2 and 3A4 inhibition in vitro, suggested that the inhibitory effect of Triphala is primarily reversible.

Electro-Fenton (EF) and solar photoelectro-Fenton (SPEF) processes were employed at different scales to degrade phenacetin (PNT), the first synthetic analgesic. EF experiments were conducted at lab scale, whereas SPEF experiments were performed in an 8 L pre-pilot plant using an electrochemical filter-press cell. Under optimal conditions (25 mg L−1 PNT, 25.3 mg L−1 Fe2+, and current density of 59.5 mA cm−2), EF resulted in degradation and mineralization degrees of 83.9% and 45.2% at 14 and 230 min, respectively. Similarly, PNT was spiked into real wastewater from a municipal secondary treatment plant, resulting in degradation of 68.0% and mineralization of 39.4%, with an energy consumption of 7.0 kWh g−1. The optimal conditions of SPEF (16.8 mg L−1 Fe2+ and current density of 45.9 mA cm−2) led to degradation and mineralization degrees of 55.9% and 37.1% at 36 and 181 min, respectively, with a low energy consumption of 0.142 kWh g−1. Both processes effectively detoxified the solutions, as demonstrated by tests with Artemia salina and Lactuca sativa. Three distinct degradation pathways were proposed based on the identification of eleven reaction intermediates formed upon •OH attack. In conclusion, the low energy cost of the SPEF process underscores its potential for pharmaceutical degradation in wastewater. [Display omitted] • Good prediction of phenacetin removal by EF and SPEF at two different scales. • EF: 68.0% degradation and 39.4% mineralization in actual wastewater at lab scale. • SPEF: 55.9% degradation in 36 min and 37.1% mineralization in an 8 L pre-pilot plant. • SPEF: very low energy consumption, and 11 intermediates from 3 hydroxylation sites. • EF and SPEF reduce effluent toxicity below 0.26 and 0.55 units, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a composite electrode containing boron-doped diamond and high graphite content (HGBDD) by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition system at high methane concentration. The electrode is applied to test the trace level of phenacetin. Scanning rate studies have exhibited that electrochemical oxidation is controlled by adsorption with scanning speed ranging from 20 to 100 mV s−1, while at a higher scanning rate, electrochemical oxidation is controlled by diffusion process. Voltammetry of phenacetin researched on the HGBDD electrode reveals the redox mechanism of phenacetin, the HGBDD has a high current response with a sensitive detection limit of 0.058 μM and a wide linear detection range of 0.5 μM - 400 μM. The high performance could be attributed to the presence of a higher carrier concentration for HGBDD electrode. Based on the density functional theory caculations, the graphite on the diamond surface could adsorb phenacetin strongly and provide more active sites for the redox reaction. Due to the unique properties of diamond, the electrode shows stability, repeatability, and accuracy for detecting phenacetin. [Display omitted] • A phenacetin electrochemical sensor based on graphite/BDD is developed. • Graphite/BDD composite electrode is prepared at high methane concentration. • Graphite on diamond surface adsorbs phenacetin stronger than BDD. • Electrode shows excellent sensibility, reusable, reproducibility and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnO2‐CNF was prepared by coaxial blending technology, and MoS2 was grown uniformly on SnO2‐CNF composite by adding a hydrothermal post‐treatment step. The uniform distribution of MoS2 on one‐dimensional SnO2‐CNF can effectively establish a layered three‐dimensional structure. Accordingly, the prepared MoS2‐coated SnO2‐CNF composite material has higher surface area and more active sites to obtain better electrochemical performance. We constructed an electrochemical sensor within the composite material with enhanced performance to realize the simultaneous and highly sensitive detection of phenacetin and indomethacin. The sensor has linear ranges of 0.050–7200 μM and 0.05–500 μM, respectively, and the detection limits were 0.016 μM and 0.013 μM. Furthermore, the sensor has good anti‐interference ability and stability, which also achieves good recovery rate in the actual sample detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although acetaminophen is one of the most widely used over-the-counter drugs, the mechanisms by which this classical drug exerts analgesic, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic effects remain unclear. We hypothesized that acetaminophen might act on cellular membranes of nerves, liver, and kidneys. In order to verify this hypothesis, we studied the interactivity of acetaminophen with biomimetic lipid bilayer membranes by comparing with structurally related phenacetin.Methods: Liposomal membranes (unilamellar vesicles suspended in the buffer of pH 7.4) were prepared with phospholipids and cholesterol to mimic the membrane lipid composition of neuronal cells, hepatocytes, and nephrocytes. They were subjected to reactions with acetaminophen and phenacetin at clinically relevant concentrations, followed by measuring fluorescence polarization to determine their membrane interactivity to modify membrane fluidity.Results: Acetaminophen and phenacetin interacted with neuro-mimetic and hepato-mimetic membranes to increase membrane fluidity at 10-100 μM. Both drugs were more effective in fluidizing hepato-mimetic membranes than neuro-mimetic membranes. Although the relative membrane-interacting potency was phenacetin >> acetaminophen in neuro-mimetic and hepato-mimetic membranes, such membrane effects conflicted with their relative analgesic and hepatotoxic effects. Acetaminophen and phenacetin strongly interacted with nephro-mimetic membranes to increase membrane fluidity at 2-100 μM and 0.1-100 μM, respectively. Phenacetin interacted significantly with nephro-mimetic membranes at lower concentrations (<2 μM) than acetaminophen, which was consistent with their relative nephrotoxic effects.Conclusion: In comparison with phenacetin, lipid composition-dependent membrane interactivity of acetaminophen could be related to nephrotoxicity but not to analgesic activity and hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug powder composition analysis is of particular interest in forensic investigations to identify illicit substance content, cutting agents and impurities. Powder profiling is difficult to implement due to multiple analytical methods requirement and remains a challenge for forensic toxicology laboratories. Furthermore, visualization tools allowing seizure products identification appear to be under-used to date. The aim of this study is to present the utility of molecular networking for the composition establishment of natural origin drugs. A powder suspected to contain heroin and three powders suspected to contain cocaine obtained from law enforcement agency seizures were analyzed using untargeted screening by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). Molecular networking and metabolite annotation applied to suspected heroin sample allowed rapid confirmation of its illicit content (heroin), the identification of structurally related major impurities (6-monoacetylmorphine, 6-monoacetylcodeine, noscapine, and papaverine), as well as cutting agents (acetaminophen and caffeine). The cocaine powder profiling allowed the comparison of its constituents in a semi-quantitative manner (cocaine, benzoylecgonine, trans/cis-cinnamoylcocaine, trimethoxycocaine, hexanoylecgonine methylester, caffeine, hydroxyzine, levamisole, and phenacetin), bringing additional information for their identification, including geographically sourcing of natural product and their putative place in the supply chain. Although this approach does not replace the profiling techniques used by forensic laboratories, the use of molecular networks provides a visual overview of structurally related constituents which aids the comparison and investigation of seizure powders. Molecular networks offers here an ideal way to depict structurally related and unrelated compounds in these often complex mixtures of chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a sensitive and rapid gold nanoparticle-based immunochromatographic strip (GNP-ICS) for the detection of phenacetin (PNCT) and paracetamol (PAP) using an anti-PNCT monoclonal antibody (mAb). The sensitive anti-PNCT mAb (2D6) had a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and limit of detection (LOD) of 3.51 and 0.21 ng mL−1, respectively. Additionally, its cross-reactivity with PAP was approximately 10.1%. The developed GNP-ICS assay based on GNP-labeled mAb was sensitive for the detection of PNCT with vLOD and cut-off values of 2.5 and 50 ng mL−1 respectively and a vLOD value of 25 ng mL−1 for PAP. Furthermore, the developed icELISA and GNP-ICS assays were applied to determine PNCT-spiked beverage samples without pretreatment, in addition to a kind of PAP-containing drug. The recoveries were validated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed that the developed GNP-ICS assay was reliable for the detection of PNCT in practical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients is a mandatory physicochemical characteristic in pharmaceutical practice. However, the number of potential solvents and their mixtures prevents direct measurements of all possible combinations for finding environmentally friendly, operational and cost-effective solubilizers. That is why support from theoretical screening seems to be valuable. Here, a collection of acetaminophen and phenacetin solubility data in neat and binary solvent mixtures was used for the development of a nonlinear deep machine learning model using new intuitive molecular descriptors derived from COSMO-RS computations. The literature dataset was augmented with results of new measurements in aqueous binary mixtures of 4-formylmorpholine, DMSO and DMF. The solubility values back-computed with the developed ensemble of neural networks are in perfect agreement with the experimental data, which enables the extensive screening of many combinations of solvents not studied experimentally within the applicability domain of the trained model. The final predictions were presented not only in the form of the set of optimal hyperparameters but also in a more intuitive way by the set of parameters of the Jouyban–Acree equation often used in the co-solvency domain. This new and effective approach is easily extendible to other systems, enabling the fast and reliable selection of candidates for new solvents and directing the experimental solubility screening of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Objective: The pain-relieving effect and safety of compound aminopyrine phenacetin tablets, tramcontin (tramadol hydrochloride sustained-release tablets) and dolantin in the early stage of autologous tendon reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee joint were compared., Methods: Retrospective analysis of postoperative pain and drug analgesia in 45 patients performed by the same group from November 2018 to February 2019. The random area group design was divided into two groups according to whether ACL rupture was combined with meniscal injury, group A was 24 patients with ACL reconstruction of knee joint and group B was 21 patients with ACL fracture combined with meniscus injury. The two groups were divided into three subgroups respectively according to the actual treatment of postoperative analgesic drugs received by the patients, including 4 cases of compound aminopyrine phenacetin tablets, 11 cases of oral tramcontin, 9 cases of intramuscular dolantin combined with phenergan in group A; 3 cases of compound aminopyrine phenacetin tablets, 10 cases of oral tramcontin, and 8 cases of intramuscular dolantin combined with phenergan in group B. When the early postoperative patients complain about pain and actively ask for analgesia. When the patients complained about pain after the operation and actively asked for analgesia, they were randomly given painkillers, tramcontin or dolantin combined with phenergan to relieve pain. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain relief and observe the occurrence of adverse reactions., Results: There were no significant dif-ferences in gender, age, body mass index, and time of hospital stay between the two groups of patients ( P > 0.05). In the patients who used tramcontin and dolantin combined with phenergan to relieve pain judging by VAS score before and 1 h after taking the drug, it was found that the pain situation of the patient was significantly relieved, and the difference before and after taking the drug had statistical significance ( P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons of the three drugs applied in the two groups showed significantly greater pain relief in the dolantin combined with phenergan group than in the remaining two drugs. There was no significant difference ( P > 0.05). Dolantin was prone to nausea and vomiting, but the application of phenergan was also used to reduce side effects. In terms of adverse reactions, only 1 case of nausea occurred in the tramcontin group for simple ACL reconstruction, and none of the patients in the other groups showed serious complications and allergic reactions., Conclusion: Whether in cruciate ligament reconstruction alone or combined with meniscus molding or suture, compound aminopyrine phenacetin tablets, tramcontin, dolantin combined with phenergan can effectively relieve pain. Among the three drugs, dolantin caused the largest pain relief. At the same time, the combination of phenergan effectively reduced the adverse reactions, such as vomiting and nausea, and increased the drug safety.

Novel opioids in the illicit drug supply, such as the "nitazene" group of synthetic opioids, present an ongoing public health problem due to high potency and respiratory depressant effects. We describe three patients in whom N-piperidinyl etonitazene, a compound not previously reported in human exposure, was detected after suspected opioid overdose. Other substances that these patients tested for included fentanyl, cocaine, levamisole, phenacetin, benzoylecgonine, para-fluorofentanyl, presumptive heroin (tested as 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), morphine, and codeine), and tramadol. This is a case series of patients with acute opioid overdose enrolled in an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study. Data collected included reported substance use, clinical course, naloxone dose and response, outcome, and analytes detected in biological samples. Between October 6, 2020 and October 31, 2021, 1006 patients were screened and 412 met inclusion criteria. Of these, three patients (age 33–55) tested positive for N-piperidinyl etonitazene at one site in New Jersey over a period of three days in July 2021. Two patients reported the use of cocaine; one reported the use of heroin and alprazolam. All three patients received naloxone with improvement in their mental status (2 milligrams (mg) intranasally (IN); 8 mg IN; 0.08 mg intravenous (IV)). Two of three received subsequent doses for recurrence of opioid toxicity (0.4–0.6 mg IV). One patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to the intensive care unit, one was discharged from the Emergency Department (ED), and one used additional drug while in the ED and required admission for a naloxone infusion. None developed organ damage or sequelae. These cases represent a local outbreak of a novel "nitazene" opioid. Public health toxicosurveillance should incorporate routine testing of this emerging class of synthetic compounds in the illicit drug supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeoniflorin is the major constituent in extracts of the paeony root, the purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of paeoniflorin on the activities and mRNA expression of the rat hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2), CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 in vivo. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were treated with paeoniflorin at the dosage of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg or 0.9% sodium chloride solution by intragastric administration for 7 days, then were given probe drugs phenacetin (CYP1A2), tolbutamide (CYP2C11), or midazolam (CYP3A1) orally on the eighth day. Blood samples were collected at various times, and the plasma concentrations of the probe drugs were estimated with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The mRNA expression levels of rat hepatic CYP1A2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 were analysed with real-time PCR. The pharmacokinetic results indicated that paeoniflorin inhibits the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 in vivo. The effect was most pronounced on CYP3A1, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration classification of inhibitors of CYP3A, it reached the category of moderate inhibition. The mRNA expression levels of 3 CYP enzymes were also tended to be inhibited. We conclude that paeoniflorin can inhibit the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 in vivo, which may affect the metabolism of drugs that are primarily dependent on these pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a general framework to predict the excess solubility of small molecular solids (such as pharmaceutical solids) in binary solvents via molecular simulation free energy calculations at infinite dilution with conventional molecular models. The present study used molecular dynamics with the General AMBER Force Field to predict the excess solubility of acetanilide, acetaminophen, phenacetin, benzocaine, and caffeine in binary water/ethanol solvents. The simulations are able to predict the existence of solubility enhancement and the results are in good agreement with available experimental data. The accuracy of the predictions in addition to the generality of the method suggests that molecular simulations may be a valuable design tool for solvent selection in drug development processes.

Knowledge of drug composition consumed on the streets and the identification and quantification of their adulterants is essential for understanding unexpected side effects, tracking routes, and drug profiling. Therefore, this work aimed to determine the purity and to identify and quantify the main adulterants found in personal doses of cocaine (perico) and coca paste (bazuco) in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). The data collected in this study describe a first attempt to introduce the qualitative and quantitative analyses of adulterants present in street drugs in Cartagena de Indias to improve surveillance. Through gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the purity and adulterants were quantified in 45 personal doses of cocaine powder and coca paste. 100% of the personal doses in the city were adulterated; caffeine, phenacetin, and levamisole were the main adulterants identified in cocaine. Besides the above, lidocaine was also found in coca paste. The purity of cocaine varied from 8% to almost 70%, with caffeine ranging from 6% to 42%. In the case of coca paste, the maximum content of cocaine found was 60%, while some samples contained as little as 14%. The results are consistent with other research in terms of the widespread use of caffeine as an adulterant, but they also follow the growing trend of the use of levamisole and phenacetin. The wide range of cocaine content in samples sold in the illicit market could cause undesirable effects on cocaine users who do not know the exact intended dose for consumption; so, this study intends to make these results available not only to academic, public health, and national security agencies but also to tourists entering Cartagena de Indias, so that they are aware of what they are consuming and the risks to which they are exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co-ZrP is successfully prepared through absorbing Co2+ onto ZrP and calcining. • PNT is completely degraded in the Co-ZrP/PMS system within 10 min. • PNT rapid degradation is mainly attributed to •OH and SO 4 •−. • ZrP as a carrier significantly improves the catalytic performance of cobalt oxide. • Co-ZrP exhibits excellent stability, reusability and universality. Herein, zirconium phosphate as a recycled material was used for the first time to support cobalt (Co-ZrP) serving as a catalyst for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to remove phenacetin (PNT). It was found that PNT (5 mg L−1) was completely eliminated in the Co-ZrP (0.2 g L−1)/PMS (2 mM) system in an initial pH range of 5 to 7 within 10 min. The pseudo-first-order rate constant of PNT degradation by PMS combined with Co-ZrP was 0.625 min−1, far faster than those with ZrP (0.0065 min−1) and with Co 3 O 4 (0.104 min−1). The introduction of HA and HCO 3 − significantly inhibited PNT removal, while the addition of H 2 PO 4 − accelerated PNT elimination in the Co-ZrP/PMS system. Nevertheless, PNT could still be completely removed by Co-ZrP-activated PMS in actual water. Recycling experiments indicated that the degradation efficiency of PNT could reach 98 % after four cycles and calcining Co-ZrP could completely restore its catalytic activity. In addition, effective decomposition of chloramphenicol, bisphenol A, sulfamethazine and rhodamine B was also achieved by Co-ZrP-activated PMS within 15 min. Hence, the combination of Co-ZrP and PMS had great potential in removing organic pollutants from water environment. EPR analysis and quenching tests suggested that the rapid degradation of PNT was mainly ascribed to the generation of •OH and SO 4 •− in the Co-ZrP/PMS system. Based on HPLC-HRMS analysis, the main degradation products were determined and the possible degradation pathways were further proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. If primary cutaneous melanoma is mostly treated with a curative wide local excision, malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis and needs other therapeutic approaches. Angiogenesis is a normal physiological process essential in growth and development, but it also plays a crucial role in crossing from benign to advanced state in cancer. In melanoma progression, angiogenesis is widely involved during the vertical growth phase. Currently, no anti-angiogenic agents are efficient on their own, and combination of treatments will probably be the key to success. In the past, phenacetin was used as an analgesic to relieve pain, causing side effects at large dose and tumor-inducing in humans and animals. By contrast, Phenacetinum low-dilution is often used in skin febrile exanthema, patches profusely scattered on limbs, headache, or flushed face without side effects. Herein are described the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral potentials of Phenacetinum low-dilution in a B16F1 tumor model and endothelial cells. We demonstrate that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits in vivo tumor growth and tumor vascularization and thus increases the survival time of B16F1 melanoma induced-C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, Phenacetinum modulates the lung metastasis in a B16F10 induced model. Ex vivo and in vitro, we evidence that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits the migration and the recruitment of endothelial cells and leads to an imbalance in the pro-tumoral macrophages and to a structural malformation of the vascular network. All together these results demonstrate highly hopeful anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects of Phenacetinum low-dilution on melanoma. Continued studies are needed to preclinically validate Phenacetinum low-dilution as a complementary or therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. If primary cutaneous melanoma is mostly treated with a curative wide local excision, malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis and needs other therapeutic approaches. Angiogenesis is a normal physiological process essential in growth and development, but it also plays a crucial role in crossing from benign to advanced state in cancer. In melanoma progression, angiogenesis is widely involved during the vertical growth phase. Currently, no anti-angiogenic agents are efficient on their own, and combination of treatments will probably be the key to success. In the past, phenacetin was used as an analgesic to relieve pain, causing side effects at large dose and tumor-inducing in humans and animals. By contrast, Phenacetinum low-dilution is often used in skin febrile exanthema, patches profusely scattered on limbs, headache, or flushed face without side effects. Herein are described the in vitro , in vivo , and ex vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral potentials of Phenacetinum low-dilution in a B16F1 tumor model and endothelial cells. We demonstrate that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits in vivo tumor growth and tumor vascularization and thus increases the survival time of B16F1 melanoma induced-C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, Phenacetinum modulates the lung metastasis in a B16F10 induced model. Ex vivo and in vitro , we evidence that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits the migration and the recruitment of endothelial cells and leads to an imbalance in the pro-tumoral macrophages and to a structural malformation of the vascular network. All together these results demonstrate highly hopeful anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects of Phenacetinum low-dilution on melanoma. Continued studies are needed to preclinically validate Phenacetinum low-dilution as a complementary or therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, Ni/Co/Fe 2D nanosheets-crosslinked frameworks (Ni-Co LDHs, Ni-Fe LDHs, Co-Fe LDHs) were synthetized to achieve a better performance on phenacetin (PNT) degradation in catalytic ozonation. The mechanism of enhanced degradation efficiency and mineralization in catalytic ozonation system were explored with the help of different kinds of catalysts characterization, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray. The results showed that Ni-Co LDHs@ Al2O3 catalyst could not only greatly enhance the degradation of PNT, but also have better stability and reusability by ozonation. The COD removal with Ni-Co LDHs@Al2O3 catalyst could reach 65.3%, while 63.8% with Ni-Co layered double hydroxides (LDHs) catalyst, 61.8% with Fe-Co LDHs catalyst, 55.5% with Ni-Fe LDHs catalyst and only 48% with ozonation alone after 120 min. In addition, based on the intermediates detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, a possible degradation pathway of PNT was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent work, we have used the density functional theory (DFT) and the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods to investigate the adsorption behavior of paracetamol and phenacetin molecules on the boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in the aqueous phase. In this research, several armchair (n,n) BNNTs, where n = 5, 6, and 7 have been used. Two different interactions, including interaction of paracetamol and phenacetin molecules with outer and inner surfaces of BNNTs were studied. The results show that both paracetamol and phenacetin molecules are not adsorbed inside of (5,5) BNNT and are desorbed. It is found that the most stable adsorption corresponds to (6,6) BNNT, when the drug molecule is located inside of the nanotube. The strongest interaction corresponds to adsorption of phenacetin molecule inside of (6,6) BNNT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the treatment effect of phemacetin pharnaceutical wastewater, the effects of different electrodes on the production of H2O2, ⋅OH production and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the electro-Fenton (F-Fenton) process were studied by using the method of titanium salt, electron paramagnetic resonance(ESR) and potassium dichromate titration, and the best reaction conditions for the degradation of phenacetin were also investigated. The results show that the maximum concentration of H2O2 is 6.91 mg/L when the current density is 2.5 mA/cm², [Fe2+] = 0.1 mmol/L, pH = 3 and [Na2SO4] = 0.1 mol/L. The modified electrode has higher DMPO-OH current than the unmodified electrode, and can produce more hydroxyl radical ( ⋅ OH) at the same time. After electrocatalytic treatment of 120 min, the removal rate of phenacetion reached 81.2% respectively. The degradation of phenacetin by Electro-Fenton was in accordance with the first-order reaction kinetics, and the kinetic constant was 0.049 3. The results showed that the electrode could significantly improve the degradation efficiency of phenacetin, increase the yield of H2O2 and ⋅ OH, and shorten the reaction time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality is the most important issue in the pharmaceutical field due to the presence of a drug which is considered as safe and therapeutically active agent. In-vitro evaluation ensures their quality, bioavailability as well as optimum therapeutic activity. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) which are the active metabolites of phenacetin is commonly used for the relief of headaches and pains, and is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies. Paracetamols are available in different brands in Indian market. The main objective of the present study was to conduct the comparative in-vitro dissolution studies of various brands collected from the local market to determine whether all the formulations used were equivalent or significantly different. The calibration curve was constructed covering the concentration range of 1 to 10 mcg/ml at 268 nm by UV spectrophotometer (UV 2203 Double beam spectrophotometer, Shimadzu). Five different brands of Paracetamol of 500 mg conventional tablets from different manufacturers were selected in the study and dissolution testing in Phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 was conducted from each brands for 90 mins by using dissolution testing apparatus USP type-II. The dissolution rate was subjected to various mathematical models like zero order, first order, Higuchi and Hixson-Crowell equations to elucidate the kinetic behavior of drug release from the test samples. Different release kinetics model of all the selected brands was assuring the quality standard of manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• PEDOT wrapped CoWO4 MIP sensor was developed via simple synthetic route. • Sensor exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance and selectivity for phenacetin. • Detection mechanism revealed involvement of 2e- and a H + in oxidation of phenacetin. • Successful implementation of the sensor for pharmaceutical and homeopathic samples. A molecular imprinted polymeric (MIP) recognition system comprising of PEDOT swaddled CoWO 4 nanocapsules has been developed for the electrochemical detection of carcinogenic phenacetin drug. Facile hydrothermal route was employed to synthesize CoWO 4 whereas, EDOT was wrapped around under chemical polymerization at room temperature. A series of characterizations revealed that electrostatic interactions generated between thiophene sulfur of PEDOT and metal atoms of CoWO 4 have prompted the homogeneously wrapped molecularly imprinted nanocomposite. The obtained peak potential plotted against the CV scan rate revealed involvement of 2 electrons in the electroxidation detection process of phenacetin. The values of charge transfer coefficient α (0.69) and charge transfer rate constant k s (2.24 s−1) at electrode-electrolyte interface during the detection procedure were also evaluated. The nanoarchitecture of the designed MIP exhibited abundant imprinted sites to selectively bind the template molecule in terms of shape, size and functionalities resulted in significant augmentation in sensitivity (0.14 µA nM−1 cm−2) and a very low detection limit (0.091 nM). Phenacetin content in homeopathic and allopathic drug samples were successfully quantified with more than 95 % accuracy by employing the MIP modified electrode. The present research introduces new possibilities for identification of carcinogenic phenacetin used as adulterants in various narcotic drug samples. [Display omitted] Schematic representation for MIP fabrication and its utilization for electrochemical detection of phenacetin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamic properties of phenacetin in solid state and in saturated conditions in neat and binary solvents were characterized based on differential scanning calorimetry and spectroscopic solubility measurements. The temperature-related heat capacity values measured for both the solid and melt states were provided and used for precise determination of the values for ideal solubility, fusion thermodynamic functions, and activity coefficients in the studied solutions. Factors affecting the accuracy of these values were discussed in terms of various models of specific heat capacity difference for phenacetin in crystal and super-cooled liquid states. It was concluded that different properties have varying sensitivity in relation to the accuracy of heat capacity values. The values of temperature-related excess solubility in aqueous binary mixtures were interpreted using the Jouyban–Acree solubility equation for aqueous binary mixtures of methanol, DMSO, DMF, 1,4-dioxane, and acetonitrile. All binary solvent systems studied exhibited strong positive non-ideal deviations from an algebraic rule of mixing. Additionally, an interesting co-solvency phenomenon was observed with phenacetin solubility in aqueous mixtures with acetonitrile or 1,4-dioxane. The remaining three solvents acted as strong co-solvents.

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), which accounts for approximately 13% of the total hepatic cytochrome content, catalyzes the metabolic reactions of approximately 9% of frequently used drugs, including theophylline and olanzapine. Substantial inter-individual differences in enzymatic activity have been observed among patients, which could be caused by genetic polymorphisms. Therefore, we functionally characterized 21 novel CYP1A2 variants identified in 4773 Japanese individuals by determining the kinetic parameters of phenacetin O-deethylation. Our results showed that most of the evaluated variants exhibited decreased or no enzymatic activity, which may be attributed to potential structural alterations. Notably, the Leu98Gln, Gly233Arg, Ser380del Gly454Asp, and Arg457Trp variants did not exhibit quantifiable enzymatic activity. Additionally, three-dimensional (3D) docking analyses were performed to further understand the underlying mechanisms behind variant pharmacokinetics. Our data further suggest that despite mutations occurring on the protein surface, accumulating interactions could result in the impairment of protein function through the destabilization of binding regions and changes in protein folding. Therefore, our findings provide additional information regarding rare CYP1A2 genetic variants and how their underlying effects could clarify discrepancies noted in previous phenotypical studies. This would allow the improvement of personalized therapeutics and highlight the importance of identifying and characterizing rare variants.

A lot of pharmaceutical substances have a poor solubility that limits their absorption and distribution to the targeted sites to elicit the desired action without causing untoward effects on healthy cells or tissues. For such drugs, new modes of delivery have to be developed for efficient and effective delivery of the drug to the target site. Formation of magnetically active solid dispersion of such drugs could be a useful approach to addressing this problem because they combine targeted delivery and good solubility. In this work, the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the solid dispersion of polyethylene glycol with average molecular weight 950-1050 g/mol and phenacetin was studied using atomic force and magnetic force microscopy. The distribution of nanoparticles was found to be uniform in studied composites. Magnetically active solid dispersions may find application in the production of the capsulated drug delivery systems with enhanced solubility parameters.

Inflammatory algesia and pyresia are common pathological consequences of physiological defense. Phenacetin introduced as effective analgesic anti-pyretic agent, was proscribed from therapeutic use because of associated systemic toxicity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potency of 1,2,3-triazole conjugation in reducing toxicity and increasing efficacy of the phenacetin nucleus. The amide bond implicated as the cause of phenacetin toxicity was bioisosterically replaced with 1,2,3-triazoles to yield a series of PhTCs(PhTC1, PhTC2 and PhTC3). The toxicology of the synthesized conjugates in reference to phenacetin was evaluated in accordance with OECD test guidelines 420, 425 and 407. For the purpose of evaluating anti-inflammatory potency carrageenan induced paw edema and croton oil induced ear edema models were evaluated. Anti-nociceptive efficacy was assessed using Eddy's hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing experimental models. For anti-pyretic efficacy, the conjugates were submitted to Brewer's yeast antipyretic assay. Toxicological examination of PhTCs in comparison to phenacetin revealed that, phenacetin treatment caused considerable nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in experimental models PhTCs were devoid of such toxic manifestations. Results of pharmacological assays showed that the entire series of PhTCs possessed better anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and anti-pyretic potential than phenacetin. Furthermore it was revealed that the pharmacological profile of PhTC1 with triazole substitution at para position of the phenol ring exhibited potency even better than that exhibited by the reference standards. Bioisosteric replacement of amide bond by 1,2,3-triazole in the phenacetin moiety yields conjugates with superior efficacy and diminished toxicity, thus opening neo avenues in treatment of inflammatory syndromes. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocaine was the second most widely used drug in Europe in 2016, with 3.5 million consumers aged 15-64 years old. Adulterants are pharmacologically active substances developed for medical purposes, however, there is little knowledge about their influence in the human body when there is concomitant use with cocaine. The objective of this work was to validate a method that allows the identification, confirmation and quantification of cocaine adulterants in blood samples collected in vivo or post-mortem. The studied substances were atropine, phenacetin, hydroxyzine, ketamine, lidocaine and tetramisole. A retrospective study of the prevalence of these substances, as well as their relative concentrations, was made analysing 97 real blood samples previously tested positive for cocaine and/or its metabolites. The analytes of interest were extracted, using a simple method based on protein precipitation with frozen acetonitrile and further analysis by GC/MS. The method was fully validated in accordance with parameters and criteria implemented in the lab and SWGTOX recommendations (mean recovery: 94-115%; CV: 6.2-13%; BIAS: 2.7-7.8%). 31 samples were positive for adulterants: phenacetin (19%), tetramisole (15%), lidocaine (8%) and hydroxyzine (1%). Concentrations were higher in post-mortem samples for all compounds analysed. Lidocaine was more prevalent in samples collected in vivo whereas tetramisole was present almost exclusively in post-mortem samples. Phenacetin was evenly distributed between post-mortem and in vivo samples. The validated method allows rapid, precise, accurate and economic analysis of selected compounds and requires smaller sample aliquots which can be important in post-mortem cases. The information collected can be important in future studies of correlation between the presence of adulterants and cocaine toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of amorphous solid dispersions is an effective way to enhance the bioavailability of drugs. One of the main disadvantages of such systems is their low storage stability. Estimation and prognosis of storage stability of the amorphous solid dispersions are possible through modeling of the kinetics of crystallization by the Arrhenius equation and the resulting parameters, i.e., activation energy and pre-exponential factor. These parameters can be determined using the non-isothermal kinetics methods based on both model-fitting and model-free approaches using the differential scanning calorimetry data. In the present work, the formation of amorphous solid dispersions of the phenacetin model drug with polyvinylpyrrolidone of different molecular masses (3500–1.3 × 106 g·mol−1) was studied in a wide range of heating and cooling rates. The kinetic parameters of the crystallization process of the active pharmaceutic ingredient in the solid dispersions with increased drug content were determined. The dependence of the kinetic parameters of phenacetin cold crystallization on the molecular weight of the polymer is non-linear. The approaches used in the present work can find applications for the estimation of kinetic stability of amorphous pharmaceutical systems prone to crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. A novel method utilizing an internal standard in hepatocytes incubations has been developed and demonstrated to decrease the variability in the determination of intrinsic clearance (CLint) in this system. The reduced variability was shown to allow differentiation of lower elimination rate constants from noise. 2. The suggested method was able to compensate for a small but systematic error (0.5 µL/min/106 cells) caused by an evaporation of approximately 15% of the volume during the incubation time. 3. The approach was validated using six commercial drugs (ketoprofen, tolbutamide, phenacetin, etodolac and quinidine) which were metabolized by different pathways. 4. The suggested internal standard, MSC1815677, was extensively characterized and the acquired data suggest that it fulfills the requirements of an internal standard present during the incubation. The proposed internal standard was stable during the incubation and showed a low potential to inhibit drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. With MSC1815677 we propose a novel simple, robust and cost-effective method to address the challenges in the estimation of low clearance in hepatocyte incubations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalation delivery is a promising route for drug administration. The particles of drug aerosol must have a diameter between 1 and 3 μm. The use of microspherical particles based on protein matrix allows for enhanced bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs and improved biocompatibility. In the present work, spray drying method was employed for the preparation of the microspherical particles of lysozyme with a model drug compound phenacetin. The average aerodynamic radius of the prepared particle is 1 μm. We show that the spray drying regime produces microparticles with low residual solvent content. The release time of phenacetin from the microspherical particles is much lower than that of the pure drug. These results allow developing a strategy for the production of the protein matrix-based systems for the inhalation delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A role of the gut microbiota in influencing brain function and emotional disorders has been suggested. However, only a few studies have investigated the gut microbiota in the context of drug addiction.Cocaine can be smoked (i.e., crack or coca paste) and its consumption is associated with a very high abuse liability and toxicity. We have recently reported that cocaine base seized samples contained caffeine and phenacetin as main active adulterants, which may potentiate its motivational, reinforcing, and toxic effects. However, the effect of volatilized cocaine and adulterants on the gut microbiota remained unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of volatilized cocaine and two adulterants on the structure, diversity, and functionality of the gut microbiota in rats. Animals were chronically exposed to the fume of cocaine, caffeine, and phenacetin during 14 days. At the end of the treatment, feces were collected and the structure, composition, and functional predictions of the gut microbiota were analyzed. Cocaine significantly decreased the community richness and diversity of the gut microbiota while both cocaine and phenacetin drastically changed its composition. Phenacetin significantly increased the Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio compared to the control group. When the predicted metagenome functional content of the bacterial communities was analyzed, all the treatments induced a dramatic decrease of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase gene. Our findings suggest that repeated exposure to volatilized cocaine, as well as to the adulterants caffeine and phenacetin, leads to changes in the gut microbiota. Future studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these changes and how this information may support the development of novel treatments in drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]