title: Comparative in vitro metabolism of the cannabinoids.
abstract: The metabolism of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), delta-8-THC, delta-11-THC, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG) and the equatorial-isomer of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) was studied in microsomal preparations obtained from rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils and a cat. Identification of metabolites was by GC/MS and quantification by gas chromatography. Major metabolites were monohydroxylated compounds but the pattern of hydroxylation varied considerably between the species, no doubt reflecting the variable nature of the cytochrome P-450 mixed-function oxidases. Although the primary carbon allylic to the endocyclic double bond of tricyclic cannabinoids was usually the major site of attack, the 4' (side-chain, omega-1 position) and the terpene ring were usually favoured by the cat and hamster respectively. The guinea pig generally produced more metabolites hydroxylated in the side-chain (all positions) than did the other species. The results from HHC were very similar to those from THC, namely hydroxylation at C-11 in most species, and the production of high concentrations of 8 alpha-hydroxy-HHC in the mouse and 8 beta-hydroxy-HHC in the hamster. As this molecule lacks the double bond of the THCs and, hence, the allylic nature of C-11 and C-8, the results suggest that it is the orientation of the molecule to the active site of the cytochrome P-450 mixed-function oxidase rather than the reactivity of the C-H bond that governs the position of hydroxylation.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Pharmacology, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002415:Cats; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D006224:Cricetinae; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D007527:Isoenzymes; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System