The synthetically new illicit drugs which are called New psychoactive substances (NPS) are the calamity of the modern era. Their danger is much more than the natural drugs of abuse and at the same time, they cannot be detected on regular drug screens making diagnosis very difficult. The number of NPS is growing very fast making their detection more complicated. Another challenge is that their health effects are not well studied and cannot be predicted. Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are the most prevalent group in all available NPS. One recent member of the SCs group is AB-CHMINACA. This review article summarizes the available data about AB-CHMINACA. The obtained data were summarized under the following subtitles; historical background, chemical structure, classification, physical characters, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, toxicity, methods of detection, the magnitude of the problem, and the situation in Egypt. The reviewed studies reveal that AB-CHMINACA like other SC substances are considered toxic with high liability for dependence. Most of the available studies are case reports. The available literature is lacking in specific organ pathology and well-structured toxicity studies.

Background AB-CHMINACA is a cannabimimetic indazole derivative. In 2013, it was reported in different countries as a substance of abuse. Purpose This study evaluated the subacute toxic effects of AB-CHMINACA on the liver and kidneys and measured its blood level in adult male mice. Methods The histological and biochemical subacute toxic effects on the liver and kidneys were assessed after four weeks of daily intraperitoneal injections of one of the following doses: 0.3 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg as the highest dose in adult male albino mice. In addition, the blood concentration level of AB-CHMINACA was determined by GC–MS-MS. Results The histological effects showed congestion, hemorrhage, degeneration, and cellular infiltration of the liver and kidney tissues. Considering the control groups as a reference, biochemical results indicated a significant increase in the serum AST only in the highest dose group, while the ALT and creatinine levels did not significantly change. The mean values of AB-CHMINACA blood levels were 3.05 ± 1.16, 15.08 ± 4.30, and 54.43 ± 8.70 ng/mL for the three treated groups, respectively, one hour after the last dose of intraperitoneal injection. The calibration curves were linear in the 2.5–500 ng/mL concentration range. The intra-assay precision and accuracy of the method were less than 7.0% (RSD) and ± 9.2% (Bias). Conclusion This research supports the available case reports on AB-CHMINACA toxicity that it has low lethality; still, the chronic administration causes evident liver and kidney histotoxic effects even at low doses with unnoticeable clinical effects in mice.

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.