Alkaloid Profiles and Activity in Different Mitragyna speciosa Strains

Abstract

Mitragyna speciosa (K.) H. (Kratom) is a tree that possesses stimulant and opioid-like analgesic effects, and is indigenous to Southeast Asia and Indochina, where it has seen widespread use for hundreds of years. The principal pharmacologically active alkaloids in kratom leaves include mitragynine (MG), 7hydroxymitragynine (HMG), speciociliatine (SC), speciogynine (SG) and paynantheine (P). The pharmacological effects induced and their potency can vary dramatically according to variations in the proportions of alkaloid compounds present, which are related to geographic origin, stage of maturity and ecotype. Much of the analgesic and opiate-like psychoactive effect of kratom has been associated with the MG and HMG detected in M. speciosa (K.). H. Five different strains of M. speciosa (K.) H., which present differing vein colours and geographic origin, have been studied herein; red vein strains from Thailand, Malaysia and Bali, named Red Thai, Red Malay and Red Bali, a white vein strain from Borneo (White Borneo) and a green vein strain from Malaysia (Green Malay) were included in the study. Plant leaves were extracted under magnetic stirring at room temperature in a MeOH/H 2 O 1:1 mixture. Purified alkaloids were isolated in a number of organic extraction steps, from either aqueous basic or acidic phases, that culminated in precipitation (yields between 0.94 and 1.43%). These samples have been analysed using HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS to optimize the identification and quantification of the principal alkaloids present in the different strains. 24 alkaloids were detected in Red Bali whereas 11 compounds were found in the other varieties. Red Thai, Red Bali, Green Malay and White Borneo strains had a higher w/w percentage for MG than for P, while P was more abundant in Red Malay. The Green Malay variety (GMK) showed the highest w/w percentages for MG and total alkaloids in its extracts (59.7 and 94.9% respectively). The Green Malay variety was therefore chosen for in vivo pharmacological studies. The Green Malay extract has shown remarkable and significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in mouse hot plate and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests.

Mitragynine: A review of its extraction, identification, and purification methods

“…To give an example, different vein colors and the origin of M. speciosa gave different yields of mitragynine when extracted using the same method. The result showed that the Green Malay (Malaysia) has the highest content of mitragynine 59.7% w/w, followed by the Green Borneo (Borneo), the Red Thai (Thailand), the Red Bali (Bali), and the Red Malay (Malaysia) (Boffa et al, 2018).…”

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016–2019

“…Kratom ( Mitragynine speciosa ): 2016 determination of the mitragynine composition of 13 commercial products of Kratom sold online and in “smartshops” by GC-MS [ 598 ]; analysis of products advertised as kratom [ 599 ]; overview of kratom products seized [ 600 ]; study of the addictive profile and abuse potential of Kratom [ 601 ]; 2017 determination of the purity of mitragynine in a Mitragyna speciosa alkaloid extract using UFLC [ 602 ]; ic-ELISA method for rapid quantification of the major kratom alkaloids including mitragynine, paynantheine, and speciogynine in kratom cocktails [ 603 ]; review of the known chemistry of plants of the genus Mitragyna that are sold as kratom [ 604 ]; detection and identification of kratom using chemical tests and qPCR-HRM [ 605 ]; HPLC method to quantify mitragynine in kratom raw materials and finished products [ 606 ]; 2018 HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS for the identification and quantification of the principal alkaloids present in different Mitragyna speciose strains [ 607 ]; scheduling of kratom [ 608 ]; dangers of kratom [ 609 ]; survey of polydrug use among kratom users [ 610 ]; immunochromatographic strip to determine mitragynine in kratom cocktails and kratom leaf samples [ 611 ]; HPLC-UV determination of alkaloids in Kratom raw materials and dietary supplements [ 612 ]; 2019 case report [ 613 ]; SPE and GC and GC-MS analysis of the chemical constituents of M. speciosa leaves [ 614 ].…”

Mitragynine Percentages of Various Kratom Variants Seized in Indonesia: A Quantitative Analysis Using Liquid Chromatography-Photo Diode Array Detector

“…Kratom leaves originated from Indonesia contained the highest level of mitragynine and alkaloid fraction related to mitragynine than those from Southern Thailand and Northern Malaysia [7]. Different varieties, according to the color of kratom leaf veins e. g. red or green kratom and geography are associated with the diversity of alkaloid distribution in each plant and thus impact to its effect on users [8,9].…”