Illegal products containing selective androgen receptor modulators purchased online from Italy: health risks for consumers.

Background: Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are small synthetic drug molecules that are still not approved as medicine in Europe or the United States but are sold on illegal websites to improve sport performance, particularly bodybuilding.

Aim: To address the quality issues of illegal SARM products and their increasing diffusion in Italy with their potential health risks for consumers.

Methods: Web-based tools were used to investigate retail websites, trending searches, and information exchange via social media.

A screening method for the quantitative determination of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) in capsules by high resolution F- and H-NMR spectroscopy.

A new method for rapid determination of the content of selective androgenic receptor modulators (SARMs) andarine, cardarine, ligandrol, ostarine and S-23 in capsules by H- and F-high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was described and validated. Specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, detection and quantification limits were considered as validation parameters. Full H-, C- and F-NMR structural assignment of the SARMs is provided as a tool for self-standing identification without a reference standard.

Insight into the photolytic degradation products of Rosuvastatin: Full chiral and structural elucidation and conversion kinetics by a combined chromatographic, spectroscopic and theoretical approach.

Rosuvastatin (RSV) is a well-established lipid-lowering drug. RSV is susceptible to degradation under various stress conditions and forms two cyclic derivatives by a radical-mediated photolytic mechanism. On a structural basis, these epimeric compounds (reported as FP-B in the European Pharmacopeia monograph Rosuvastatin tablets) retain the configuration of the stereogenic carbons of RSV (3R,5S) and have opposite absolute configurations at the third stereogenic center.

A Novel Validated UHPLC Method for the Estimation of Rosuvastatin and Its Complete Impurity Profile in Tablet Formulations.

A key step in the development of medicinal products is the research and validation of selective and sensitive analytical methods for the control of impurities from synthesis and degradation. As most impurities are similar in structure to the drug substance, the achievement of chemo-selective conditions is usually challenging. Herein, a direct and highly selective ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determining the assay and related substances content in medicinal products containing rosuvastatin calcium salt (RSV) is presented.

A NIR, H-NMR, LC-MS and chemometrics pilot study on the origin of carvedilol drug substances: a tool for discovering falsified active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Falsification of drugs, entailing the use of drug substances from unknown unapproved suppliers, is one of the main concerns for the quality of medicines. Therefore, traceability of active ingredients represents an effective tool to fight the illegal trade of medicinal products. In this view, the present pilot study explores the profile of carvedilol active ingredients and possible differences related to the origin.

Classification of the ibuprofen active pharmaceutical ingredients by chemical patterns combining HPLC, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and chemometrics: traceability of legal medicines.

Introduction: Ibuprofen is one of the widespread used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen active ingredient is manufactured in many sites located all around the world. The aim of this paper was to classify the geographical source of ibuprofen active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from the legal market, based on chemical characteristics and its impurity pattern and to define a geographical fingerprint.

A community-built calibration system: The case study of quantification of metabolites in grape juice by qNMR spectroscopy.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is an analytical technique extensively used in almost every chemical laboratory for structural identification. This technique provides statistically equivalent signals in spite of using spectrometer with different hardware features and is successfully used for the traceability and quantification of analytes in food samples. Nevertheless, to date only a few internationally agreed guidelines have been reported on the use of NMR for quantitative analysis.

Counterfeit Adderall Containing Aceclofenac from Internet Pharmacies.

A nontargeted approach based on liquid chromatography equipped with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass detector (LC-MS Q-TOF) joined to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis allowed rapid identification and quantification of the anti-inflammatory drug aceclofenac in illegal Adderall tablets. The largest chromatographic peak had m/z = 354.030 and m/z = 376.

Characterization of Sildenafil analogs by MS/MS and NMR: a guidance for detection and structure elucidation of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

Novel synthetic analogs of Sildenafil are constantly detected as adulterants in counterfeit drugs and dietary supplements. Their intake constitutes a serious health hazard as side effects are unknown. In this paper an investigation is carried out on NMR and MS/MS spectra of Sildenafil, Thiosildenafil, Acetildenafil and thirteen of their analogs: a list of key signals is reported and discussed with the intent to provide a tool that can help in detecting adulteration and in elucidating the structure of novel analogs.

Quantitative analysis of iobitridol in an injectable preparation by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used for direct quantitative determination of iobitridol in an injectable formulation. The method was developed on a medium field strength magnet (400MHz) and validation was performed by assessing specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, stability of samples and robustness. Validation data confirm that the method is highly appropriate for direct quantification of iobitridol in the final formulation.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of bivalent antagonists of the nociceptin opioid receptor.

Bivalent ligands constituted by two identical pharmacophores structurally related to the Nociceptin Opioid Receptor (NOPr) antagonist JTC-801 were synthesized and their binding affinities for NOPr were evaluated. The novel ligands are formed by two modified JTC-801 units linked by di-iminic and di-aminic spacers with length ranging from three to ten methylene units. Moreover, the synthesis and the pharmacological characterization were extended to the corresponding univalent ligands.

High resolution NMR conformational studies of new bivalent NOP receptor antagonists in model membrane systems.

The interaction of new bivalent NOP receptor antagonists with dodecyl phosphatidylcholine micelles and DMPC/cholesterol liposomes was investigated in solution by high resolution NMR. The ligands are structurally related to the NOP antagonist JTC-801 plus a propanediamine or heptanediamine spacer between the pharmacophoric units. Ligand internuclear distances were derived from 2D NOESY data and applied to molecular modelling calculations as conformational restraints.

Chiral HPLC separation and absolute configuration of novel S-DABO derivatives.

Chiral 2-(sec-butylthio)-6-[1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)propyl]-5-methylpyrimidin-4(3H)-one (compound 1) was synthesized to serve as a model compound for structural elucidation of novel S-DABO (dihydroalkoxybenzyloxopyrimidine) derivatives endowed with potential HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity. Stereochemical characterization of four stereoisomers of 1 was achieved by an experimental approach based on the following steps: (a) direct HPLC enantio- and diastereoseparation at semipreparative scale; (b) determination of elution order of stereomeric mixture by using chiroptical detection (polarimeter or circular dichroism (CD)); (c) X-ray crystallography of two diastereoisomers isolated at semipreparative scale. The CD analysis of 1 and its two analogues (compounds 2 and 3), both having a single stereogenic center located in two different alkyl side chains of the dihydropyrimidinone structure, was carried out.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 1,2-dihydrospiro[isoquinoline-4(3H),4'-piperidin]-3-ones as nociceptin receptor agonists.

Some synthesized 1,2-dihydrospiro[isoquinoline-4(3 H),4'-piperidin]-3-ones were evaluated as ligands for nociceptin receptor (NOP receptor). Their affinity was established by binding studies, and efficacy was investigated by GTP binding experiments. Selectivity toward DOP, KOP, and MOP receptors was assessed, and structural requirements affecting affinity and selectivity were remarked.

The applicability of an amidated polysaccharide hydrogel as a cartilage substitute: structural and rheological characterization.

An amidic derivative of a carboxymethylcellulose-based hydrogel was obtained and characterized in terms of amidation degree. NMR studies and FT-IR imaging spectroscopy demonstrated that the reaction allowed a polymer to be obtained that was characterized by a regular distribution of amidic groups along the polysaccharide chains. Through this regularity, a homogenous three-dimensional scaffold was obtained, which maintained the thixotropic property of the linear polysaccharide.

Metabolic alterations in cultured mouse fibroblasts induced by an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase receptor Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to identify and quantify the metabolites present in cultured mouse fibroblast cells 3T6 in their native state and after treatment with PD166866, an inhibitor of the fibroblast growth factor receptor. Cell extracts were prepared according to the Bligh-Dyer protocol which prevents artifacts deriving from the chemical demolition of macromolecules. Also the growth medium was subjected to the same extraction procedure.

Tacrine derivatives-acetylcholinesterase interaction: 1H NMR relaxation study.

Two acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors structurally related to Tacrine, 6-methoxytacrine (1a) and 9-heptylamino-6-methoxytacrine (1b), and their interaction with Electrophorus Electricus AChE were investigated. The complete assignment of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 1a and 1b was performed by mono-dimensional and homo- and hetero-correlated two-dimensional NMR experiments. This study was undertaken to elucidate the interaction modes between AChE and 1a and 1b in solution, using NMR.

Synthesis of new 4-heteroaryl-2-phenylquinolines and their pharmacological activity as NK-2/NK-3 receptor ligands.

Substituted 4-heteroaryl-2-phenylquinolines were synthesized and tested on NK-2 and NK-3 receptors in order to get a better insight in the structure-activity relationship. On the whole, these molecules, which can be regarded as bioisosters of the NK-3 antagonist SB 218795, displayed a lower activity than the template. Ring electronic distribution and H-bond donor and acceptor positions played some role in selectivity, 2-imidazolyl substituted 2a showing affinity mainly towards NK-3 while 3-pyrazolyl substituted 4 displayed a preferential interaction with NK-2 receptor.

Synthesis and evaluation as NOP ligands of some spiro[piperidine-4,2'(1'H)-quinazolin]-4'(3'H)-ones and spiro[piperidine-4,5'(6'H)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines].

Some spiro[piperidine-4,2'(1'H)-quinazolin]-4'(3'H)-ones 3 and spiro[piperidine-4,5'(6'H)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines] 4 were synthesized and evaluated as ligands of the nociceptin receptor. The examined compounds showed partial agonistic activity, except compounds 3, 4n that proved to be pure antagonists.

A new synthetic approach of N-(4-amino-2-methylquinolin-6-yl)-2-(4-ethylphenoxymethyl)benzamide (JTC-801) and its analogues and their pharmacological evaluation as nociceptin receptor (NOP) antagonists.

A series of 4-amino-2-methylquinoline and 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives, including the reference NOP antagonist JTC-801, were synthesized by an alternative pathway and their in vitro pharmacological properties were investigated. 3-Substitution of the quinoline ring resulted very critical for affinity. So 3-methyl derivative 4j showed a similar potency compared with the reference 4h while bulky lipophilic or electron withdrawing groups in the same position strongly decreased affinity.

Synthesis of 1-methyl-5-(pyrazol-3- and -5-yl- and 1, 2, 4-triazol-3- and 5-yl)-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives and their evaluation as muscarinic receptor ligands.

A series of 1-methyl-5-(pyrazol-3- and -5-yl- and 1, 2, 4-triazol-3- and 5-yl)-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives structurally related to arecoline were synthesized and evaluated on M(1), M(2), and M(3) muscarinic receptors using [(3)H] pirenzepine and [(3)H] NMS as ligands. The binding affinity depended on the position and size of the substituents. The most interesting compounds were further evaluated in functional studies on isolated organs and in vivo for cholinergic side effects.

Synthesis and cholinesterase activity of phenylcarbamates related to Rivastigmine, a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease.

In order to develop new cholinesterase agents effective against Alzheimer's disease (AD) we synthesized some phenylcarbamates structurally related to Rivastigmine and evaluated their in vitro and in vivo biological activity. Among the compounds which displayed the most significant in vitro activity, 1-[1-(3-dimethylcarbamoyloxyphenyl)ethyl]piperidine (31b), in addition to a simple and cheaper synthesis, showed lower toxicity and very similar therapeutic index in comparison with Rivastigmine.