Analytical approaches for the determination of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids in human matrices.
Over the last two decades, the role played by phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids in medicine has gained increasing interest in the scientific community. Upon identification of the plant compound Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and of the endogenous substance anandamide (AEA), different methodological approaches and innovative techniques have been developed, in order to evaluate the content of these molecules in various human matrices. In this review, we discuss the analytical methods that are currently used for the identification of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids, and we summarize the benefits and limitations of these procedures. Moreover, we provide an overview of the main biological matrices that have been analyzed to date for qualitative detection and quantitative determination of these compounds.
Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Natalia
N
Battista
Manuel
M
Sergi
Camilla
C
Montesano
Sabino
S
Napoletano
Dario
D
Compagnone
Mauro
M
Maccarrone
D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D013759:Dronabinol; C078814:anandamide
anandamide; liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol