10.1002/ardp.200400921
The research details an in vitro study on the biotransformation of Desoxypeganine, an anticholinergic quinazoline alkaloid, by rabbit liver microsomal enzymes. The purpose of the study was to investigate the metabolic pathways and kinetics of Desoxypeganine, which has therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism, and nicotine dependence. The researchers used aerobic incubation with rabbit liver homogenates as the enzyme source, supplemented with NADPH, and identified metabolites through high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The main conclusion was that Desoxypeganine is readily oxidized to its inactive metabolite Pegenone, which poses a challenge for dosage in pharmaceutical formulations. Key chemicals used in the process included Desoxypeganine, Pegenone, Vasicinone, Isovasicinone, NADPH, and various buffer solutions for the incubation and extraction steps.