Presence and formation of codeine and morphine in the rat.
Endogenous codeine and morphine were identified in rat brain by immunological determination following HPLC. To demonstrate occurrence of a biosynthetic pathway to morphine in mammals similar to that used by the poppy plant, (+)-salutaridine, (-)-thebaine, and (-)-codeine were administered to rats intravenously. These compounds, which are intermediates in the synthesis of morphine in Papaver somniferum, caused a marked increase in the codeine and morphine levels in rat tissues. This provides evidence for a biosynthetic pathway to morphine in mammalians.
Donnerer
J
J
Oka
K
K
Brossi
A
A
Rice
K C
KC
Spector
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003061:Codeine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D009020:Morphine; D003061:Codeine