Open AccessPresence and formation of codeine and morphine in the rat.
Author(s) -
Josef Donnerer,
Koichiro Oka,
A. BROSSI,
Kenner C. Rice,
S. Spector
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.83.12.4566
Subject(s) - thebaine , codeine , morphine , papaver , chemistry , pharmacology , opium poppy , endogeny , opium , biology , biochemistry , botany , political science , law
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.
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