Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology17 Volume 2 Number 1, January - June 2016 Review Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/jfct.2454.9363.2116.4 Screening/Spot/Colour Test of Anti-Depressants A.K. Jaiswal*, Kamna Sharma**, Sally Lukose**, T. Millo*, Anu Singla***, Kulbhushan Prasad*, S.K. Gupta* Authors Affiliation: * Department of Forensic Medicine Reprints Requests: A. K. Jaiswal, Chemist, Department and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Delhi- 110029. ** Galgotias University, Greater Noida- Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029, New 201306,U.P. ***Institute of Forensic Science & Criminology, Delhi. Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, U.P. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Antidepressants are class of drugs that reduce symptoms of depressive disorders by correctly chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain. These imbalances may be responsible for changes in mood and behaviour of an individual. In forensic autopsy case, the forensic pathologist may require a complete toxicological investigation for different poisons including Anti-depressents. In India, Forensic Science Laboratories run by Government under the Home ministry usually carry out this The samples have to be analyzed by the forensic Toxicologist/Chemists/ Scientist. This article deals with the screening/spot test for antidepressants in a step-wise manner, which can be of handy reference for the forensic toxicologist.This article is in continuation of toxicology manual series-XVIII, screening/spot test of aphrodisiacs (sex drugs), International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine,Vol.14, No.3 Jan-March 2012. Keywords: Antidepressants; Screening; Colour; Spot Test etc. Introduction screening/spot test for alkaloids which are easily available and useful for the forensic science laboratory. This article covers the spot test/colour ntidepressants are the drugs that are used to test of anti-depressants such as amitriptyline, Arelieve the symptoms of depression. They butriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, were first developed in the 1950’s and have been dibenzepin, dosulepin, doxepin, imipramine, used on regular basis. Initially used for the treatment iproniazid, isocarboxazid, mebarazine, mianserin, of depression in addition to improving one’s mood nialamide, nomifensive, nortriptyline, noxiptiline, as well as behaviour. The intake of antidepressants opipramol, phenelzine, protriptylin, tofenacin, enhances the activity of certain chemicals that work trazodone, trimipramine, viloxazine and zimeldin in our brain known as neuro transmitters. They pass etc [3-9]. on the signals from one cell to another. These drugs are advised to the patients suffering from moderate to severe depression illness, severe anxiety, panic Amitriptyline attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders and post Marquis test traumatic stress disorder. They are basically 1. Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. classified on the basis of which chemicals in the brain they affect [1-2]. 2. Few drops of marquis reagent are added to it. We have tried to set out standard procedures for 3. Brown to orange colour is observed which indicates the presence of amitriptyline. Journal© 2016 ofRed Forensic Flower Chemistry Publication and Pvt. Toxicology Ltd. / Volume 2 Number 1 / January - June 2016 18 A.K. Jaiswal et. al. / Screening/Spot/Colour Test of Anti-Depressants Table 1: Classification of antidepressants S. no Types General Information Examples 1. Monoamine oxidase inhibition It is given those individuals who don’t Phenelzine, respond to any other antidepressants. It must tranylcypromine not be taken with certain foods, beverages and medications can cause dangerous interactions. 2. Tricyclic antidepressants TCAs are rapidly absorbed from the Amitryptyline, drugs Digestive tract, bind to plasma proteins, and Imipramine, become widely distributed in tissues as a Clomipramine result of their lipophilic nature. It affects the neurotransmitters norepinephine & serotonin. 3. Selective serotonin reuptake It affects the serotonin levels in the brain. Fluoxetine, Sertraline, inhibitors Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitters Citalopram used to treat depression. 4. Serotonin & norepinephrin It works on two chemical neurotransmitters Duloxetine, velafaxine reuptake inhibitors serotonin as well as norepinephrin. It is used to treat the major depression as well as mood disorders. 5. Norepinephrin & dopamine It works on increasing the level of Buproprion reuptake inhibitors norepinephrin and dopamine to prevent their reabsorption into the cell. 6. Combined reuptake inhibitors It is useful in two ways firstly it prevents the Trazidone, maprotiline and receptor blockers reabsorption into the nerve cell and at the same time blocking the nerve cell receptors Mandelin’s Test presence of clomipramine. • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. FPN test • Colour changes from brown to green which • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. indicates the presence of amitriptyline. • Few drops of FPN reagent are added to it. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the Sulphuric Acid Test presence of clomipramine. • Few drops of extract are taken on a white tile. • Few drops of sulphuric acid are added to it. Mandelin’s test • Orange colour is observed which indicates the • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. presence of amitriptyline. • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the Butriptyline presence of clomipramine. Marquis test • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. Libermann’s test • Few drops of marquis reagent are added to it. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Violet colour is observed which indicates the • Few drops of libermann’s reagent are added to presence of butriptyline. it. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the Clomipramine presence of clomipramine. Forrest Test Desipramine • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. Forrest Test • Few drops of forrest reagent are added to it. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the • Few drops of forrest reagent are added to it. Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology / Volume 2 Number 1 / January - June 2016 A.K. Jaiswal et. al. / Screening/Spot/Colour Test of Anti-Depressants 19 • Blue colour is observed which indicates the • Few drops of libermann’s reagent are added to it. presence of desipramine. • Black colour is observed which indicates the presence of doxepin. Mandelin’s Test • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. Mandelin’s Test • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Colour changes from yellow to blue which • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. indicates the presence of desipramine. • Brown colour is observed which indicates the presence of doxepin. Dibenzepin Mandelin’s Test Marquis Test • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. • Few drops of marquis reagent are added to it. • Green colour is observed which indicates the • Brown colour is observed which indicates the presence of dibenzepin. presence of doxepin. Dosulepin Sulphuric Acid Test Libermann’s Test • Few drops of extract are taken on a white tile. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Few drops of sulphuric acid are added to it. • Few drops of libermann’s reagent are added to it. • Orange colour is observed which indicates the • Reddish brown colour is observed which presence of doxepin. indicates the presence of dosulepin. Imipramine Mandelin’s Test Forrest Test • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. • Few drops of forrest reagent are added to it. • Green colour is observed which indicates the • Blue colour is observed which indicates the presence of dosulepin. presence of imipramine. Marquis Test FPN Test • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Few drops of marquis reagent are added to it. • Few drops of FPN reagent are added to it. • Brown colour is observed which indicates the presence of dosulepin. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the presence of imipramine. Sulphuric Acid Test • Few drops of extract are taken on a spotting tile. Mandelin’s Test • Few drops of sulphuric acid are added to it. • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Violet colour is observed which indicates the • Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it. presence of dosulepin. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the presence of imipramine. Doxepin Libermann’s test Libermann’s Test • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology / Volume 2 Number 1 / January - June 2016 20 A.K. Jaiswal et. al. / Screening/Spot/Colour Test of Anti-Depressants • Few drops of libermann’s reagent are added to to it. it. • Above solution is heated for two minutes. • Blue colour is observed which indicates the • Black colour is observed which indicates the presence of imipramine. presence of mebarazine. Iproniazid Sulphuric Acid Test Cyanogen Bromide Test • Few drops of extract are taken on a white tile. • One to two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Few drops of sulphuric acid are added to it. • Few drops of cyanogens bromide reagent are • Orange colour is observed which indicates the added to it. presence of mebarazine. • Orange to pink colour is observed which indicates the presence of iproniazid. Mianserin Mandelin’s Test Nessler’s Test • Two ml of extract is taken in test tube. • Two to three drops of extract is taken in a • porcelain basin. Few drops of mandelin’s reagent are added to it.