Homochiral (R)- and (S)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were prepared in six steps (each) from the chiral pool precursors d- l-alanine, respectively. The key step, copper-catalysed regioselective ring-opening of an N-tosylaziridine with aryl Grignard reagent, proceeded high yield complete regioselectivity. Elaboration was achieved preservation configurational integrity, affording R- S-...

Since the late 1980s 'Ecstasy' (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) has become established as a popular recreational drug in western Europe. The UK National Criminal Intelligence Service estimates that 0.5-2 million tablets are consumed weekly in Britain. It has been reported that 4.5% of young adults (15-34 yr) in the UK have used MDMA in the previous 12 months. Clinically important toxic...

Production of reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species has been thought to contribute to the long-term depletion of brain dopamine and serotonin (5-HT) produced by amphetamine derivatives, i.e., methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In the present study, the effects of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors were examined on the long-term depletion of striatal dopamine and...

This article describes the development of an electrochemical screening strategy for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), regular psychoactive compound in ecstasy (XTC) pills. We have investigated specific profile MDMA and its electro-oxidation mechanisms at disposable graphite screen-printed electrodes. proved that formation a radical cation subsequent reactions are indeed responsible elec...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration produces neurotoxic degeneration of serotonin terminals in rat brain. These effects occur only after systemic administration and not after central injection, suggesting that peripheral metabolism, possibly hepatic, is required for toxicity. Glutathione is one of the principal cellular defence mechanisms, but conjugation with glutathione ca...

Introduction: Exposure to 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) leads to cell death. Herein, we studied the protective effects of ginger on MDMA- induced apoptosis. Methods: 15 Sprague dawley male rats were administrated with 0, 10 mg/kg MDMA, or MDMA along with 100mg/kg ginger, IP for 7 days. Brains were removed to study the caspase 3, 8, and 9 expressions in the hippocampus by RT-PCR. Dat...

Introduction: The administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy causes memory impairment, whereas neurogenesis improves memory and learning. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of MDMA on neurogenesis in the hippocampus of male rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of MDMA (10 mg/kg). We assessed nestin, sex-determining regio...

Aim 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is one of the most widespread illegal drugs, used particularly by young people in the 15-34 age group. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously synthesized, non-coding and small RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate their target genes’ expression by inhibiting protein translation or degradation. miRNAs are increasingly implicated in drug-related...

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), known as ecstasy, is a hallucinogen and stimulant illicit drug. Besides the systemic effects of this drug are well documented, it can also present with range oral side such ulcerations, to our knowledge, there only few cases involving mucosal ulcerations related MDMA abuse in literature. We encountered 38-year-old man widespread multiple attributed abus...