3-Fluoromethcathinone, a structural analog of mephedrone, inhibits growth and induces cell cycle arrest in HT22 mouse hippocampal cells.

Recently, the abuse of recreational drugs has become an important problem in many countries. Among these psychoactive substances are synthetic cathinones, a group of compounds derived from the alkaloid cathinone, that have gained widespread popularity. Many cathinones have demonstrated neurotoxic effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 3-fluoromethcathinone, a structural analog of mephedrone, on HT22 mouse hippocampal cells. Cell viability was assessed using the sulforhodamine B assay. Flow cytometry was used to study the cell cycle distribution. We found that 3-fluoromethcathinone inhibits growth of HT22 cells. Our results also revealed that it induces G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the cytotoxic action of 3-fluoromethcathinone. Our findings suggest that abuse of this cathinone derivative may not be without risk.