MOLECULE

1,3,7-Trimethyluric acid

1,3,7-Trimethyluric acid, also known as 8-oxy-caffeine or 1,3,7-trimethylate, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as xanthines. These are purine derivatives with a ketone group conjugated at carbons 2 and 6 of the purine moiety. 1,3,7-Trimethyluric acid is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). 1,3,7-Trimethyluric acid exists in all living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid can be biosynthesized from caffeine; which is catalyzed by the enzymes cytochrome P450 1A2, cytochrome P450 3A4, cytochrome P450 2C8, cytochrome P450 2C9, and cytochrome P450 2E1. In humans, 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid is involved in caffeine metabolism. Outside of the human body, 1,3,7-Trimethyluric acid has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as rubus (blackberry, raspberry), passion fruits, mountain yams, wasabis, and pigeon pea. This could make 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. An oxopurine in which the purine ring is substituted by oxo groups at positions 2, 6, and 8, and the nitrogens at positions 1, 3, and 7 are substituted by methyl groups. 1,3,7-Trimethyluric acid is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.