Metabolic N-oxidation of atropine, hyoscine and the corresponding nor-alkaloids by guinea-pig liver microsomal preparations.

Incubation of guinea-pig liver microsomal preparations with atropine or hyoscine resulted in the formation of the corresponding nor-alkaloids and both isomers of atropine N-oxide from atropine and one isomer of hyoscine N-oxide from hyoscine. Separate incubations of guinea-pig liver microsomal preparations with nor-atropine and nor-hyoscine yielded the corresponding hydroxylamines. The N-oxide and hydroxylamine metabolites were identified by comparison of their t.l.c. behavior and m.x. with prepared compounds and also by their reduction to the corresponding tertiary or secondary amines.