This article will address the topic of PB-22, which has gained great relevance in recent years. Since its origins, PB-22 has sparked countless opinions and debates that have polarized society. This is why it is of utmost importance to analyze this phenomenon in depth and objectively, to understand its implications in various areas, from the social to the economic. Likewise, the impact of PB-22 in different cultural contexts will be explored, as well as the possible future perspectives that could arise from its evolution. Through reflection and critical analysis, we will seek to shed light on the various facets of PB-22, in order to foster a constructive and enriching debate on this topic.
PB-22 (QUPIC, SGT-21 or 1-pentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid 8-quinolinyl ester) is a designer drug offered by online vendors as a cannabimimetic agent, and detected being sold in synthetic cannabis products in Japan in 2013. PB-22 represents a structurally unique synthetic cannabinoid chemotype, since it contains an ester linker at the indole 3-position, rather than the precedented ketone of JWH-018 and its analogs, or the amide of APICA and its analogs.
PB-22 has an EC50 of 5.1 nM for human CB1 receptors, and 37 nM for human CB2 receptors. PB-22 produces bradycardia and hypothermia in rats at doses of 0.3–3 mg/kg, suggesting potent cannabinoid-like activity. The magnitude and duration of hypothermia induced in rats by PB-22 was notably greater than JWH-018, AM-2201, UR-144, XLR-11, APICA, or STS-135, with a reduction of body temperature still observable six hours after dosing. One clinical toxicology study found PB-22 to be the cause of seizures in a human and his dog.
History
PB-22 was originally developed by New Zealand legal highs company Stargate International in 2012 as SGT-21, intended to be a structural hybrid of QMPSB and JWH-018. However, no intellectual property protection was applied for and the compound quickly became subject to widespread grey-market sales outside the control of the inventors.
Detection
A forensic standard of PB-22 is available, and the compound has been posted on the Forendex website of potential drugs of abuse.
Legal status
As of 9 May 2014, PB-22 is no longer legal in New Zealand.
^Uchiyama N, Matsuda S, Kawamura M, Kikura-Hanajiri R, Goda Y (2013). "Two new-type cannabimimetic quinolinyl carboxylates, QUPIC and QUCHIC, two new cannabimimetic carboxamide derivatives, ADB-FUBINACA and ADBICA, and five synthetic cannabinoids detected with a thiophene derivative α-PVT and an opioid receptor agonist AH-7921 identified in illegal products". Forensic Toxicology. 31 (2): 223–240. doi:10.1007/s11419-013-0182-9. S2CID1279637.
^Gugelmann H, Gerona R, Li C, Tsutaoka B, Olson KR, Lung D (July 2014). "'Crazy Monkey' poisons man and dog: Human and canine seizures due to PB-22, a novel synthetic cannabinoid". Clinical Toxicology. 52 (6): 635–638. doi:10.3109/15563650.2014.925562. PMID24905571. S2CID207647659.
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