Effects of Morphine and Hashish (Cannabis sativa) on Activities of Human Red Blood Cell Carbonic Anhydrase Isoenzymes

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) exists in all living organisms and converts CO₂ (waste product) to H₂CO₃. Two different forms of CA are present in human erythrocytes. These forms are known as CA-I and CA-II. Whereas CA-I has a low activity, CA-II is highly active. In the current study, CA-I and CA-II were purified by affinity chromatography from human blood. Then the effects of hashish (Cannabis sativa L.) and morphine on the CA-I and CA-II activities were measured by following esterase activity, and the results are presented.

Keywords: :

• Affinity chromatography
• carbonic anhydrase
• hashish (Cannabis sativa)
• morphine