Metabolism in the rat of a model xenobiotic plant metabolite S-benzyl-N-malonyl-L-cysteine

1. The metabolism of a model xenobiotic plant metabolite S-benzyl-N-malonyl-L-cysteine (BMC) administered to rat at 10?mg/kg has been studied using a combination of radio-t.l.c. and?h.p.l.c.

2. The major route of excretion for the administered ¹⁴C was via the urine (79% in 3 days).

3. The major metabolite was hippuric acid. The extent of biotransformation of BMC indicated the lability of the N-malonyl bond whose hydrolytic removal initiated a metabolic sequence which involved the action of C-S lyase to produce benzyl thiol.

4. A comparison of the findings from this study with those from experiments with N-acetyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteine and S-benzyl-L-cysteine is made to support the metabolic pathway proposed.