Drugs of abuse from a different toxicological perspective: an updated review of cocaine genotoxicity

Abstract

Cocaine is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances and has been recognized as a major public health concern for many years. While several aspects of the toxicology of cocaine have been thoroughly described in the literature, namely its effects on different target organs, other toxicological features should not be disregarded. In this perspective, the in vitro and in vivo genotoxic effects of cocaine, along with the genotoxicity data from human exposure, especially in the context of "crack" smoking, were reviewed. Some concerns regarding (1) the chronic abuse and forms of cocaine, (2) the role of metabolism and (3) the mode of action of cocaine were discussed. The major limitations of the experimental and human studies available were also addressed and some research gaps in this field identified. Overall, although the genotoxicity of cocaine is still a matter of discussion, this psychoactive substance exhibits a genotoxic potential that should be further considered.

Abuse of Licit and Illicit Psychoactive Substances in the Workplace: Medical, Toxicological, and Forensic Aspects

“…Regarding cocaine, immunoassays detect the metabolite benzoylecgonine quite accurately without much concern for false positive or negatives. Nevertheless, the metabolite is inactive and may be present up to 3 days after use, whereas most clinical effects of cocaine occur within 6 to 12 hours of use [26,27]. As for amphetamines, there are many false positives, including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, or acid-blockers, and these may be detected 1 to 3 days after use.…”

“…Cocaine, amphetamines (i.e., d-amphetamine, d-methamphetamine, methylphenidate, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), caffeine, nicotine, and ephedrine are stimulants of the central nervous system [26][27][28]. Xenobiotics belonging to this group exhibit, in general, a pronounced stimulating effect in the central nervous system.…”

Inhibition of Toll Like Signaling Pathway Is Associated With Genomic Instability in Rat Liver Exposed to Crack Cocaine

“…The anti-8-hydroxy-20deoxyguanosine (8 OHdG, Santa Cruz Biotechnologies Inc.™, MO, USA) antibody was used at 1:100 dilution. The analysis was based on scores, taking into account the presence or absence of immunopositive cells as well as the extent of the stained sections as follows: no staining [0], weak staining [1], moderate staining [2], and strong staining [3] (13).…”

“…Usually, crack cocaine is presented in the form of base. The name "crack" is frequently used due to the onomatopoeic expression that refers to the crackling sound generated during pyrolysis, when the drug is consumed by smoking route (2).…”

Efecto citotóxico y genotóxico in vitro del extracto crudo y etanólico del rizoma de Curcuma longa L.

“…La genotoxicidad es la capacidad de desencadenar daño en una parte o en la integridad del material genético de una célula, en definitiva, sobre la molécula del ADN (14,15) . Existen investigaciones experimentales sobre el potencial genotóxico con la curcumina aislada de la Curcuma longa L. que no reportan potencial citotóxico o genotóxico (16) y otros donde la suplementación de este principio aislado antagoniza significativamente efectos genotóxicos (17) .…”