Method development for the determination of elements in Hypericum perforatum L. (St John's wort) herb and preparations using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and microwave digestion.

Objectives: A method was developed to analyze St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) herb and preparations using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to determine the quantity of 11 elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn).

Methods: This study includes the evaluation of digestion acids and calibration methods, as well as instrumental parameters such as choice of nebulizer and emission wavelength.

Small molecule recognition of mephedrone using an anthracene molecular clip.

An anthracene molecular probe has been synthesised and shown to target mephedrone, a stimulant drug from the cathinone class of new psychoactive substances (NPS). A protocol has been developed to detect mephedrone via the probe using NMR spectroscopy in a simulated street sample containing two of the most common cutting agents, benzocaine and caffeine.

Native CB1 receptor affinity, intrinsic activity and accumbens shell dopamine stimulant properties of third generation SPICE/K2 cannabinoids: BB-22, 5F-PB-22, 5F-AKB-48 and STS-135.

In order to investigate the in vivo dopamine (DA) stimulant properties of selected 3rd generation Spice/K2 cannabinoids, BB-22, 5F-PB-22, 5F-AKB-48 and STS-135, their in vitro affinity and agonist potency at native rat and mice CB1 receptors was studied. The compounds bind with high affinity to CB1 receptors in rat cerebral cortex homogenates and stimulate CB1-induced [(35)S]GTPγS binding with high potency and efficacy. BB-22 and 5F-PB-22 showed the lowest Ki of binding to CB1 receptors (0.