Estrogenic effects and their action mechanism of the major active components of party pill drugs

Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) are commonly used constituents of party pill drugs. They are reported to induce psychoactive effects such as euphoria and provide effects similar with other illicit drugs such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). A great deal of evidence has proven that party pills, as alternatives for MDMA, exert harmful effects on users. However, their toxicological effects have not been fully understood and endocrine disruptive effects are still unknown. In this study, we identified estrogenic effects of BZP and TFMPP by using in vitro and in vivo assays. BZP and TFMPP stimulated cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, while co-treatment with tamoxifen and BZP or TFMPP showed a decrease of E2-induced cell proliferation. In an estrogen sensitive reporter gene assay, BZP and TFMPP significantly increased transcriptional activities of party pill drugs. In addition, ER-related genes, PR and pS2, were significantly stimulated by BZP and TFMPP. These results indicated that BZP and TFMPP could have estrogenic activities related to the ER-mediated pathway. Unlike the in vitro assay results, BZP and TFMPP did not show significant effects on weight increase in a rodent uterotrophic assay. However, further studies would be necessary to verify the estrogenic activities of BZP and TFMPP by a chronic exposure animal study.

► Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) stimulated cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. ► In an estrogen sensitive reporter gene assay, BZP and TFMPP significantly increased transcriptional activities of party pill drugs. ► PR and pS2 (ER-related genes) were significantly stimulated by BZP and TFMPP. ► BZP and TFMPP could have estrogenic activities related to the ER-mediated pathway. ► BZP and TFMPP did not show significant effects on weight increase in a rodent uterotrophic assay.