Evaluation of the transport, in vitro metabolism and pharmacokinetics of Salvinorin A, a potent hallucinogen.

Salvinorin A is an unregulated potent hallucinogen isolated from the leaves of Salvia divinorum. It is the only known non-nitrogenous kappa-opioid selective agonist, and rivals synthetic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in potency. The objective of this study was to characterize the in vitro transport, in vitro metabolism, and pharmacokinetic properties of Salvinorin A. The transport characteristics of Salvinorin A were assessed using MDCK-MDR1 cell monolayers. The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) affinity status was assessed by the P-gp ATPase assay. In vitro metabolism studies were performed with various specific human CYP450 isoforms and UGT2B7 to assess the metabolic characteristics of Salvinorin A. Cohorts (n = 3) of male Sprague Dawley rats were used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and brain distribution of Salvinorin A (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.) over a 240-min period. A validated UV-HPLC and LC/MS/MS method was used to quantify the hallucinogen concentrations obtained from the in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. Salvinorin A displayed a high secretory transport in the MDCK-MDR1 cells (4.07 +/- 1.34 x 10(-)5 cm/s). Salvinorin A also stimulated the P-gp ATPase activity in a concentration (5 and 10 microM)-dependent manner, suggesting that it may be a substrate of (P-gp). A significant decrease in Salvinorin A concentration ranging from 14.7 +/- 0.80% to 31.1 +/- 1.20% was observed after incubation with CYP2D6, CYP1A1, CYP2C18, and CYP2E1, respectively. A significant decrease was also observed after incubation with UGT2B7. These results suggest that Salvinorin A maybe a substrate of UGT2B7, CYP2D6, CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and CYP2C18. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed a relatively fast elimination with a half-life (t1/2) of 75 min and a clearance (Cl/F) of 26 L/h/kg. The distribution was extensive (Vd of 47.1 L/kg); however, the brain to plasma ratio was 0.050. Accordingly, the brain half-life was relatively short, 36 min. Salvinorin A is rapidly eliminated after i.p. dosing, in accordance with its fast onset and short duration of action. Further, it appears to be a substrate for various oxidative enzymes and multi-drug resistant protein, P-gp.

Preclinical evaluation of the pharmacokinetics, brain uptake and metabolism of E121, an antiepileptic enaminone ester, in rats.

The present study describes the brain uptake, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of an anticonvulsant enaminone ester E121, which belongs to a new and active series of compounds with potential in vivo anticonvulsant activity in rodent models, in rats. A single dose of E121 was administered i.p. to male Sprague Dawley rats at 10 mg E121/kg body weight. Cohorts of animals (n=3) were killed at varying times over 0-24 h to collect plasma and brain samples. Urinary excretion of E121 was studied in a separate group of five rats at the same dose. A validated HPLC method was used to quantify E121 and its metabolites in plasma, brain and urine. LC-MS/MS was used to characterize the metabolites. The plasma and brain Cmax of 11.0+/-3.0 mg/l and 10.4+/-1.4 mg/kg, respectively, were observed for E121 at 15 min post dose and they declined in a mono-exponential fashion. The plasma Cl/F and t1/2 were 0.57 l/h/kg and 0.75 h, respectively. The brain uptake ratio of E121 was 0.9. Mass spectral analysis of urine showed two major metabolites (m/z 280) and one minor metabolite (m/z 236) that were consistent with initial hydrolysis of the compound to the acid followed by further decarboxylation and appears to be the major route of elimination of E121. The rapid and moderate brain uptake of E121 correlates well with its potential anticonvulsant activity (ED50 3.0 mg/kg p.o. in rats). The brain uptake, pharmacokinetic and metabolic profile of E121 supports the need to further evaluate this compound for its potential as an antiepileptic.