11-Hydroxy-THC explained

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Watchedfields:changed
Verifiedrevid:477208799
Iupac Name:(6aR,10aR)-9-(Hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-pentyl- 6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[''c'']chromen-1-ol
Width:250px
Alt2:11-Hydroxy-THC molecule
Legal Uk:Class B
Cas Number:36557-05-8
Unii:9VY04N5SLB
Pubchem:37482
Kegg:C22778
Chemspiderid:34385
Class:Cannabinoid
C:21
H:30
O:3
Smiles:Oc2cc(cc1OC(C3CC/C(=C\C3c12)CO)(C)C)CCCCC
Stdinchi:1S/C21H30O3/c1-4-5-6-7-14-11-18(23)20-16-10-15(13-22)8-9-17(16)21(2,3)24-19(20)12-14/h10-12,16-17,22-23H,4-9,13H2,1-3H3
Stdinchikey:YCBKSSAWEUDACY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

11-Hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-Δ9-THC, alternatively numbered as 7-OH-Δ1-THC), usually referred to as 11-hydroxy-THC is the main active metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is formed in the body after Δ9-THC is consumed.[1] [2]

After cannabis consumption, THC is metabolized inside the body by cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 into 11-hydroxy-THC and then further metabolized by dehydrogenase and CYP2C9 enzymes to form 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH) which is inactive at the CB1 receptors;[2] and further glucuronidated to form 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid glucuronide (Δ9-THC-COOH-glu)[3] in the liver, from where it is subsequently excreted through feces and urine (via bile from the liver).[4] Both metabolites, along with THC, can be assayed in drug tests.[1]

11-hydroxy-THC can be formed after consumption of THC from inhalation (vaping, smoking) and oral (by mouth, edible, sublingual) use, although levels of 11-hydroxy-THC are typically higher when eaten compared to inhalation.[5] [6]

Pharmacology

Like Δ9-THC, 11-hydroxy-THC is a partial agonist at the cannabinoid receptor CB1, but with significantly higher binding affinity (Ki = 0.37 nM compared to Δ9-THC Ki = 35 nM).[7] With respect to cAMP inhibition at CB1 it displays a similar efficacy to that of Δ9-THC (EC50 = 11 nM vs. EC50 = 5.2 nM, respectively), but a lower maximum response (Emax = 28% vs. Emax = 70%).

Research

In an in vitro analysis by the University of Rhode Island on cannabinoids it was found that 11-OH-Δ9-THC had the 3rd highest 3C-like protease inhibitor activity against COVID-19 out of all the cannabinoids tested within that study but not as high as the antiviral drug GC376 (56% for 11-OH-Δ9-THC vs. 100% for GC376).[8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Kraemer T, Paul LD . Bioanalytical procedures for determination of drugs of abuse in blood . Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry . 388 . 7 . 1415–1435 . August 2007 . 17468860 . 10.1007/s00216-007-1271-6 . 32917584 .
  2. Book: Huestis MA . Cannabinoids . Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the plant cannabinoids, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinol . Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology . 168 . 657–690 . 2005 . . 16596792 . 10.1007/3-540-26573-2_23 . 3-540-22565-X .
  3. Stout SM, Cimino NM . Exogenous cannabinoids as substrates, inhibitors, and inducers of human drug metabolizing enzymes: a systematic review . Drug Metabolism Reviews . 46 . 1 . 86–95 . February 2014 . 24160757 . 10.3109/03602532.2013.849268 . 29133059 .
  4. Grotenhermen F . Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids . Clinical Pharmacokinetics . 42 . 4 . 327–360 . 2003 . 12648025 . 10.2165/00003088-200342040-00003 . 25623600 .
  5. Huestis MA, Henningfield JE, Cone EJ . Blood cannabinoids. I. Absorption of THC and formation of 11-OH-THC and THCCOOH during and after smoking marijuana . Journal of Analytical Toxicology . 16 . 5 . 276–282 . 1992 . 1338215 . 10.1093/jat/16.5.276 .
  6. Karschner EL, Schwilke EW, Lowe RH, Darwin WD, Herning RI, Cadet JL, Huestis MA . Implications of plasma Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-THC, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC concentrations in chronic cannabis smokers . Journal of Analytical Toxicology . 33 . 8 . 469–477 . October 2009 . 19874654 . 3159863 . 10.1093/jat/33.8.469 .
  7. Zagzoog A, Cabecinha A, Abramovici H, Laprairie RB . Modulation of type 1 cannabinoid receptor activity by cannabinoid by-products from Cannabis sativa and non-cannabis phytomolecules . Frontiers in Pharmacology . 13 . 956030 . 26 August 2022 . 36091813 . 10.3389/fphar.2022.956030 . 9458935 . free .
  8. Liu C, Puopolo T, Li H, Cai A, Seeram NP, Ma H . Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors from a Library of Minor Cannabinoids by Biochemical Inhibition Assay and Surface Plasmon Resonance Characterized Binding Affinity . Molecules . 27 . 18 . 6127 . September 2022 . 36144858 . 9502466 . 10.3390/molecules27186127 . free .