Designer drugs in herbal aphrodisiacs.

Abstract

In the presented case three herbal aphrodisiacs (Libidfit, Satibo and Viamax) were investigated for the presence of regular pharmaceuticals against erectile dysfunction. However, high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses revealed the presence of ingredients, having a molecular structure strongly resembling those of sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra). The health risk posed by these analogous substances is high because they were found to be potent phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors used in pharmacologically relevant quantities having no known safety profile. Based on structural and functional analogy these analogs represent a new class of designer drugs and should be taken off the market for being unapproved drug substances. In the Libidfit court case this was done successfully, setting a precedent.

• Authors: Bastiaan J Venhuis, Leonore Blok-Tip, Dries de Kaste
• Journal: Forensic science international (Forensic Sci Int) Vol. 177 Issue 2-3 Pg. e25-7 (May 20 2008) ISSN: 1872-6283 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 18178354 (Publication Type: Journal Article)