Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M A Elsohly.
Ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of a Mexican variant of Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana) afforded, after partitioning and chromatography, the new spermidine alkaloid, anhydrocannabisativine. The structure was determined by spectral analysis and semisynthesis.
Methods are presented for the direct GLC analysis of the catechol C15 alkenyl side-chain congeners contained in the urushiol fraction of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and the C17 homologs of poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). A number of liquid phases were investigated and demonstrated varying degrees of separation. The methods developed were applied to the analysis of the urushiol fractions obtained from different plant parts of poison ivy. The effects of extraction before and after drying demonstrated tht a larger percentage of urushiol was obtained when the fresh plant material was extracted with ethanol.
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A phytochemical investigation of an ethanolic extract of the fruit of Cocculus carolinus resulted in the isolation and characterization of the alkaloids, cocculolidine and cocculine. The cyccculine, magnoflorine, and palmatine, previously reported in the stems and leaves of this species, were also isolated and identified.
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Cannabichromene (CBC) is one of four major cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L. and is the second most abundant cannabinoid in drug-type cannabis. Cannabichromene and some of its homologs, analogs, and isomers were evaluated for antiinflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. Antiinflammatory activity was evaluated by the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and the erythrocyte membrane stabilization method. In both tests, CBC was superior to phenylbutazone. Antibacterial activity of CBC and its isomers and homologs was evaluated using gram-positive, gram-negative, and acid-fast bacteria. Antifungal activity was evaluated using yeast-like and filamentous fungi and a dermatophyte. Antibacterial activity was strong, and the antifungal activity was mild to moderate.
A procedure was developed for screening of cannabinoids for their ability to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) using normal rabbits. Eight animals per group were used for statistical significance of data. A negative control group was used for every screen as well as a positive control with 1.5 mg/kg delta 9-THC given intravenously (I.V.). All compounds were tested by I.V. injection and IOP measurements were taken periodically for 5 hours. Data were analyzed by a computer program which takes into account the change in IOP of the control group. Following this procedure we found that delta 8-THC, delta 9-THC, cannabinol, and nabilone were active while cannabidiol was inactive.
A gas-chromatographic procedure is outlined for the analysis of cocaine and cis- and trans-cinnamoylcocaines in coca leaves. The procedure was applied to the determination of these alkaloids in coca leaves collected from three different locations in Peru. The extraction of alkaloids from plant material was accomplished following the procedure we previously outlined. Recovery of cinnamoylcocaines was quantitative and the average coefficient of variation was 6.8%. Using androst-4-ene-3,17-dione as the internal standard, the correlation coefficient (r2) as determined from the calibration curve of trans-cinnamoylcocaine was 0.99 and the response factor 0.72. Observable differences in relative proportions of cis and trans isomers of cinnamoylcocaine were found among samples from different locations. In addition, the relative proportions of the total cinnamoylcocaine concentration to cocaine varied with sample origin. We have also examined coca extracts using a nitrogen detector and by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. The nature and identity of other nitrogenous peaks in the chromatograms are also discussed.
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A GC-MS method was performed to determine the total delta9-THC content in both drug- and fiber-type cannabis seeds. Drug-type seeds were found to contain much higher levels of delta9-THC (35.6-124 microg/g) than fiber (hemp) seeds (0-12 microg/g). The majority of delta9-THC was found to be located on the surface of the seeds. Approximately 90% of the total delta9-THC was removed by a simple, quick wash with chloroform. Washed drug-type seeds contained less than 10 microg/g. Separation of the seeds into the kernel and testa showed that the bulk of delta9-THC is located in the testa, mainly on the outside. The kernels of drug- and fiber-type cannabis seeds contained less than 2 and 0.5 microg delta9-THC/g seeds, respectively. Fluctuations in the delta9-THC content of different replicates of the same type of seeds could be the result of the degree of contamination on the outside of the seeds.
A spectrophotometric method used to test for paraquat in 160 confiscated marijuana samples is described. Twenty of these samples (12.5 per cent) tested positive for paraquat. Nine confiscated hash oil samples tested negative. The identification of paraquat was proven by isolation, chromatography, and spectral methods. The cannabinoids in paraquat positive Cannabis samples were analysed.
A method for the determination of cocaine content in coca leaves (Erythroxylum coca) has been developed. The procedure involves refluxing the powdered leaves in 95% ethanol for 15 minutes, followed by acid-base partitioning with chloroform and a GLC assay. The recovery of cocaine was quantitative. This procedure was applied to determine cocaine content in three samples of Erythroxylum coca Lam. collected from different geographic locations in Peru. Using androst-4-ene-3,17-dione as the internal standard the calibration curve was linear over a factor of 0.5 to 10 fold cocaine concentration relative to internal standard. The slope (b) was 0.733, the coefficient of determination (r2) was 1.00 and the average precision was 3.9%.
The herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid (2,4-D) is considered to be the most cost-effective for eradicating illicit coca plants. Since coca leaves are chewed by the natives of coca producing areas, and, since coca paste and cocaine are widely abused, a study was undertaken to determine whether 2,4-D is translocated into the leaves and transferred to coca paste when coca plants are treated with this herbicide. The study concluded that basal treatment of coca plants with 2,4-D ester resulted in translocation of 2,4-D into the leaves, and this herbicide was detected in high concentrations one week after treatment. Coca paste prepared from leaves obtained from basally treated plants did not contain 2,4-D. Foliage spraying resulted in extremely high concentrations of 2,4-D in the leaves, with significantly high concentrations of the herbicide found one week after spraying. Trace amounts of 2,4-D were detected in coca paste prepared from plants sprayed by the foliage method.
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