MOLECULE

Paraxanthine

Paraxanthine, also known as p-xanthine, 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. A dimethylxanthine having the two methyl groups located at positions 1 and 7. Paraxanthine is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Paraxanthine exists in all living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans. Within humans, paraxanthine participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, paraxanthine and formaldehyde can be biosynthesized from caffeine through the action of the enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2. In addition, paraxanthine and acetyl-CoA can be converted into 5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyluracil; which is catalyzed by the enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2. In humans, paraxanthine is involved in caffeine metabolism. Paraxanthine is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.