Acute Toxic Effects of AB-CHMINACA on Lung, Heart and Liver: An Experimental Pilot Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag Egypt.

2 Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag Egypt

3 Department of Forensic Chemistry, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, KSA.

Abstract

Background: Synthetic cannabinoid (SCs) substances are intended for drug addiction while they cannot be easily detected on a regular drug screen. The danger of these substances is not only being undetected, but also their health effects are not well studied and cannot be predicted. This is one of the recent major health problems that threaten populations around the world. Aim of the study: This study is an experimental study to detect the toxic effect of acute exposure to a synthetic cannabinoid substance “AB-CHMINACA’ clinically and histopathologically in different organs in adult male albino rats. Material and methods: AB-CHMINACA was tested for dissolution in different solvents to choose the best vehicle. Doses were selected according to "Guidance on dose level selection for regulatory general toxicology studies for pharmaceuticals". Animals were injected intraperitoneal and after 24 hours, animals were sacrificed and the lung, heart, and liver were examined for histopathological changes. Results: AB-CHMINACA dissolves best in organic solvents like ethanol and DMSO. The most suitable vehicle for intraperitoneal injection of animals was ethanol-saline. After injection, animals showed CNS manifestations; depression or excitation followed by depression according to the dose. Histopathological examination of the lung, heart, and liver tissues showed generalized congestion, hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration and degeneration, which increased by increasing the dose. Conclusion: AB-CHMINACA has toxic histopathological effects on the lung, heart, and liver on single-dose exposure even with minimal clinical manifestations. These effects are dose-related.

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