A comparison of the metabolic fate of phenol, phenyl glucoside and phenyl 6-O-malonyl-glucoside in the rat

Abstract

1. The metabolic fates of ¹⁴C-phenol and its model plant conjugates ¹⁴C-phenyl glucoside and ¹⁴C-phenyl 6-O-malonyl-glucoside have been compared following equimolar oral dosing to rats (1.2mg phenol/kg).

2. Rapid excretion of radioactivity in the urine (at least 80% within 24 h) was observed with each compound.

3. Phenol was eliminated as expected mainly as phenyl sulphate (68%) and partly as phenyl glucuronide (12%).

4. The excretion profile for phenyl malonyl-glucoside was very similar to that of phenol, with the exception that small amounts of phenyl glucoside and phenyl malonyl-glucoside were excreted.

5. In contrast, a major part of the dose of phenyl glucoside was eliminated unchanged.

6. The value of metabolism studies in the assessment of the toxicology of xenobiotic metabolites derived from plants is discussed.