8-Hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol
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| Other names
8-OH-HHC
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3D model (JSmol)
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| Properties | |
| C21H32O3 | |
| Molar mass | 332.484 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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8-Hydroxyhexahydrocannabinols (8-OH-9α-HHC and 8-OH-9β-HHC) are active primary metabolites of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in animals and trace phytocannabinoids. The 8-OH-HHCs are produced in notable concentrations following HHC administration in several animal species, including humans. They have drawn research interest for therapeutic use & their role in HHC toxicology and stereoisomeric probes of the cannabinoid drug/receptor interaction.
Like Δ9-THC and Δ8-THC, HHC is processed by cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19) to a series of oxygenated derivatives, some of which maintain activity. While 11-OH-HHC and its downstream products are the major metabolites of HHC metabolism, hydroxylation at C8 plays a varyingly significant role in animal species. Metabolite ratios are also subject to interspecies variation, with one study finding mice hepatocytes preferentially produced 8α-OH-HHC (49/5 α/β) while hamster hematocytes evidenced the opposing selectivity (20/43 α/β).
While 11-OH-HHC is quickly oxidized to the inactive, water-soluble 11-COOH-HHC, further oxidation of 8-OH instead yields the 8-oxo derivatives, which are then conjugated and excreted.