Polydrug fatal intoxication involving MDPHP: Detection and in silico investigation of multiple 3,4-methylenedioxy-derived designer drugs and their metabolites.

A recent case report has highlighted the dangers of 3,4-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone belonging to the class of 3,4-methylenedioxy-derived designer (MDDs) drugs. MDPHP is a pyschostimulant drug that primarily acts on monoamine transporters, with a pyrrolidine moiety and an alkyl portion with six carbon atoms. It is part of a series of alkyl homologous compounds, including 3,4-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (MDPPP), 3,4-methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinobutyrophenone (MDPBP), and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). These compounds have gained attention in recent years due to their increasing involvement in human intoxications and seizures, but there is currently a lack of data on their pharmacotoxicological effects. The case report involves a 58-year-old man with a history of MDPV addiction, who was found dead in a waterway. Toxicological analysis revealed the presence of MDPHP, as well as other MDDs compounds, including MDPPP, MDPBP, and MDPV, in addition to clonazepam and citalopram. The concentrations of MDPHP in various biological fluids and tissues were significantly higher than those of the other MDDs compounds, suggesting that MDPHP was the primary cause of death. The concentrations of MDPHP were found to be 354.5 ng/mL in femoral blood, 110.9 ng/mL in cardiac blood, 1900 ng/mL in urine, and 3000 ng/mL in bile, among other tissues and fluids. An in-silico evaluation was also performed to better understand the binding properties of the MDDs compounds to various transporters and receptors. The medical examiner ultimately reported that the cause of death was an acute multidrug intoxication by MDPHP and clonazepam, in the presence of the other MDDs compounds and citalopram. This case highlights the need for further research on the pharmacotoxicological effects of MDPHP and other MDDs compounds, as well as the importance of monitoring their involvement in human intoxications and fatalities. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40440133/