Zebrafish and Artemia salina in vivo evaluation of the recreational 25C-NBOMe drug demonstrates its high toxicity

The NBOMe (N-2-methoxybenzyl-phenethylamines) family of compounds are synthetic hallucinogens derived from the 2C series. Although this family of compounds has been responsible for multiple cases of acute toxicity and several deaths around the world, to date there are few studies. These compounds act as potent 5-HT₂A receptor agonists, including the hallucinogen 25C-NBOMe (2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine). In this study, we first evaluated the toxicity of 25C-NBOMe in two animal models: Artemia salina and zebrafish using the lethality test of Meyer et al. (1982) modified for Artemia salina and the Fish Embryo Toxicity test (FET) for zebrafish (Danio rerio). Subsequently, we determined the behavioral and morphological effects using different concentrations of the 25C-NBOMe. As a result, we found that this substance is highly toxic according to lethality tests in both animal models. We also observe that this hallucinogen induces alterations in swimming and motility patterns in Artemia salina. Similarly, there were alterations in the motor response to a stimulus, as well as abnormal development in the zebrafish. The developmental effects of zebrafish suggest a teratogenic potential for 25C-NBOMe. Therefore, these findings are correlated with side effects, such as motor response abnormalities and muscle deterioration, clinically reported for consumers of this recreational drug. Finally, although recent studies are addressing the neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity of 25C-NBOMe in cell cultures, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vivo report for 25C-NBOMe related to toxicological parameters and their global effects on development. Therefore, it could represent an advance in the study of the substance that contributes to the understanding of the effects on behavior and development in humans.