Characterization of human metabolism and disposition of levo-tetrahydropalmatine: Qualitative and quantitative determination of oxidative and conjugated metabolites.

Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is a tetrahydroprotoberberine isoquinoline alkaloid and has been used as an analgesic agent in China for over 50 years. Recent studies revealed that l-THP was effective in the treatment of drug addiction. However, the plasma metabolic profile, mass balance and clearance pathways of l-THP in human remain unknown. In the present study, an analytical strategy was developed for qualitative and quantitative investigation of metabolism and disposition of l-THP in human. Detection and structural characterization of l-THP metabolites were performed using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Selected major metabolites in plasma, urine and feces determined by liquid chromatography with UV detection were further quantified using a triple quadruple mass spectrometry and reference standards. A total of 20 metabolites were identified, most of which were formed via demethylation, mono-hydroxylation, and glucuronidation and sulfonation of desmethyl metabolites. Five major metabolites accounted for over 10% of the parent drug concentration in plasma. Major urinary and fecal metabolites and the parent drug that were monitored for 72h accounted for 46.3% of the dose, while only 0.16% of the dose was the unchanged drug. Multiple demethylations followed by glucuronide and sulfate conjugations and renal excretion were the major drug clearance pathways of l-THP in human.