JWH 200 is an aminoalkylindole that acts as a cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligand. It binds to the CB₁ receptor with high-affinity (IC₅₀ = 7.8-42 nM).^1,2 The effects of JWH 200 in locomotor activity, tail-flick latency, hypothermia, and ring-immobility tests are comparable or superior to Δ⁹–THC or WIN 55,212.³ It potently inhibits the contraction of electrically-stimulated murine vas deferens (IC₅₀ = 3.7-6.0 nM).^4,5

In vitro and in vivo (both with and without enzymatic hydrolysis) samples were purified by solid-phase extraction and analyzed using liquid chromatography. Electrospray ionization high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the metabolites. The metabolite formed by consecutive morpholine cleavage and oxidation of the remaining side chain to a carboxylic group was detected in the highest amounts with the longest detection time.