Studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of the new designer drug N-benzylpiperazine in urine using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Studies are described on the metabolism and on the toxicological analysis of the piperazine-like designer drug N-benzylpiperazine (BZP, scene name “A2”) in rat and human urine using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The identified metabolites indicated that BZP was hydroxylated at the aromatic ring and that the piperazine moiety is metabolically degraded. Our systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure using full-scan GC–MS after acid hydrolysis, liquid–liquid extraction and microwave-assisted acetylation allowed the detection of the parent compound as well as of the above mentioned metabolites in rat urine after single administration of a dose calculated from the doses commonly taken by drug users. It has also proved to be applicable in authentic clinical or forensic cases. However, it should be considered that BZP is also a metabolite of the medicament piberaline.