11-Hydroxy-THC

For the isomer of this chemical inherited from Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, see 11-Hydroxy-Delta-8-THC.
11-Hydroxy-THC
11-Hydroxy-THC molecule
Clinical data
Drug classCannabinoid
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • (6aR,10aR)-9-(Hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-pentyl- 6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.164.583 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC21H30O3
Molar mass330.468 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • Oc2cc(cc1OC(C3CC/C(=C\C3c12)CO)(C)C)CCCCC
  • InChI=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 checkY
  • Key:YCBKSSAWEUDACY-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

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 [which?] 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]

  1. ^ a b Kraemer T, Paul LD (August 2007). "Bioanalytical procedures for determination of drugs of abuse in blood". Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 388 (7): 1415–1435. doi:10.1007/s00216-007-1271-6. PMID 17468860. S2CID 32917584.
  2. ^ a b Huestis MA (2005). "Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the plant cannabinoids, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinol". Cannabinoids. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Vol. 168. pp. 657–690. doi:10.1007/3-540-26573-2_23. ISBN 3-540-22565-X. PMID 16596792.
  3. ^ Stout SM, Cimino NM (February 2014). "Exogenous cannabinoids as substrates, inhibitors, and inducers of human drug metabolizing enzymes: a systematic review". Drug Metabolism Reviews. 46 (1): 86–95. doi:10.3109/03602532.2013.849268. PMID 24160757. S2CID 29133059.
  4. ^ Grotenhermen F (2003). "Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids". Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 42 (4): 327–360. doi:10.2165/00003088-200342040-00003. PMID 12648025. S2CID 25623600.
  5. ^ Huestis MA, Henningfield JE, Cone EJ (1992). "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. doi:10.1093/jat/16.5.276. PMID 1338215.
  6. ^ Karschner EL, Schwilke EW, Lowe RH, Darwin WD, Herning RI, Cadet JL, Huestis MA (October 2009). "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. doi:10.1093/jat/33.8.469. PMC 3159863. PMID 19874654.