Cytochrome P450-mediated oxidative metabolism of abused synthetic cannabinoids found in K2/Spice: identification of novel cannabinoid receptor ligands.

ABSTRACT: Abuse of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), such as [1-naphthalenyl-(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl]-methanone (JWH-018) and [1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1-naphthalenyl-methanone (AM2201), is increasing at an alarming rate. Although very little is known about the metabolism and toxicology of these popular designer drugs, mass spectrometric analysis of human urine specimens after JWH-018 and AM2201 exposure identified monohydroxylated and carboxylated derivatives as major metabolites. The present study extends these initial findings by testing the hypothesis that JWH-018 and its fluorinated counterpart AM2201 are subject to cytochrome P450 (P450)-mediated oxidation, forming potent hydroxylated metabolites that retain significant affinity and activity at the cannabinoid 1 (CB(1)) receptor. Kinetic

SUBMITTER: Chimalakonda KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3477201 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature