Studies in detoxication. 72. The metabolism of coumarin and of <i>o</i>-coumaric acid

Abstract

triacetyl glucuronic acid methyl ester portion of the molecule to the coumarin ring (cf. Kamil et al. 1951). SUMMARY 1. The fate of 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-and 8-hydroxycoumarins in the rabbit has been studied. All five compounds are conjugated with glucuronic acid and the glucuronides have been isolated and described. With the exception of 4-hydroxycoumarin, they are also excreted in conjugation with sulphuric acid, and the ethereal sulphates of 3-, 6-and 8-hydroxycoumarins were isolated from the urine. Hydroxylation of 6-hydroxycoumarin to 6:7-dihydroxycoumarin (aesculetin) was also observed.