A Study of the Metabolism of the New Nootropic Preparation Unifiram by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

The metabolism of the new nootropic drug unifiram is considered; this drug supposedly has significantly higher activity than that of piracetam, and it is under clinical trials as a means of improving memory and preventing Alzheimer’s disease, attention-deficit disorder, and various forms of dementia. The structures of two potential metabolites of unifiram are proposed. Based on the interpretation of the experimental mass spectra of precursor ions and product ions, the applicability of a non-target screening methodology with the use of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry to the detection of these compounds was demonstrated. It was established that the supposed metabolites of unifiram can be determined only with the use of enzymatic hydrolysis, while mineral hydrolysis led to the complete destruction of both the unifiram itself and the hypothetical metabolites. The use of the proposed chromatographing and mass-spectrometric detection conditions makes it possible to detect unifiram metabolites within six days after a single administration of 10 mg of the substance.