A Precise And Accurate Method For The Determination Of delta-9-THC And 11-Hydroxy-THC In Human Plasma

By Denise Townsend and William Sawyers

Dronabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) is a naturally occurring compound that as been extracted from cannabis Salvia L. The objective was to develop and validate a method which is selective, precise and accurate for the determination of delta-9-THC and its major metabolite, 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC (11-hydroxy-THC) in Human plasma. An HPLC-MS/MS method was developed using a simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure and two deuterium labeled analogs as the internal standards. The method was linear over a concentration range of 0.250 to 250 ng/ml for both delta-9-THC and 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC. This method permits for the large scale analysis of these analytes for pharmacokinetic studies.

Dronnabinol is an orally active cannabinoid which, like other cannabinoids, has complex effects on the central nervous system, including central sympathomimetic activity. Cannabinoid receptors have been discovered in neural tissues. These receptors may play a role in mediating the effects of dronabinol and other cannabinoids. Several published analytical methods were developed citing derivatization and gas chromatographic procedures.