UAE, MAE, SFE-CO2 and classical methods for the extraction of Mitragyna speciosa leaves

Correlations of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) tea bag preparations and reported pharmacological effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The use of herbal tea infusions is widespread in ethnomedicine throughout the world. One such ethnobotanical is kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Rubiaceae) which has gained considerable interest as an herbal supplement in recent years in the West beyond its native Southeast Asia. Traditional, kratom leaves are either chewed fresh or made into a tea infusion to treat fatigue, pain, or diarrhea. However, dried kratom leaf powder and hydroalcoholic extracts are more commonly used in Western countries, raising the question of exposure to kratom alkaloids and related effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

A specific kratom tea bag product was analyzed for mitragynine content using tea infusion preparation and methanolic extraction. Consumers of both the tea bag product and other kratom products completed an online anonymous survey to determine demographics, kratom use patterns, and self-reported beneficial and detrimental effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Kratom tea bag samples were extracted using pH-adjusted water or methanol and analyzed using an established LC-QTOF method. A modified kratom survey was distributed to consumers of the kratom tea bag products and other kratom products over a 14-month period.

RESULTS

Tea infusion extraction of tea bag samples resulted in lower mitragynine levels (0.062-0.131% (w/w)) compared to methanolic extraction (0.485-0.616% (w/w)). Kratom tea bag consumers did report similar, although often milder beneficial effects compared to consumers using other kratom products. Overall self-reported health was better among kratom tea bag consumers whereas improvement of a diagnosed medical condition was less in tea bag consumers compared to those using other kratom products.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional tea infusions of Mitragyna speciosa dried leaves provide benefits to consumers despite substantially lower mitragynine content. These effects may be less pronounced but indicate that tea infusions provide a potentially safer formulation compared to more concentrated products.

Approach of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide for the Extraction of Kleeb Bua Daeng Formula

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is an innovative green technology for the extraction of phytochemicals from plants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the application of SFE and to optimize the extraction conditions of the Thai herbal formula, Kleeb Bua Daeng (KBD). A Box-Behnken design (BBD) with response surface methodology (RMS) was used to determine the effect of the extraction time (30-90 min), temperature (30-60 °C), and pressure (200-300 bar) on response variables including the extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carotenoid content (TCC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC) of the KBD formula. The highest percentage extraction yield (3.81%) was achieved at 60 °C, 300 bar, and 60 min of the extraction time. The highest TPC (464.56 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract), TFC (217.19 mg quercetin equivalents/g extract), and TCC (22.26 mg β-carotene equivalents/g extract) were all achieved at 60 °C, 250 bar, and 90 min of the extraction time. On the contrary, it was not possible to quantify the total anthocyanin content as anthocyanins were not extracted by this method. The results indicated that SFE-CO2 is a suitable method of extraction for a green recovery of phytochemicals with low and moderate polarity from the KBD formula.

Kratom: The analytical challenge of an emerging herbal drug

Mitragyna speciosa or kratom is emerging worldwide as a "legal" herbal drug of abuse. An increasing number of papers is appearing in the scientific literature regarding its pharmacological profile and the analysis of its chemical constituents, mainly represented by alkaloids. However, its detection and identification are not straightforward as the plant material is not particularly distinctive. Hyphenated techniques are generally preferred for the identification and quantification of these compounds, especially the main purported psychoactive substances, mitragynine (MG) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH-MG), in raw and commercial products. Considering the vast popularity of this recreational drug and the growing concern about its safety, the analysis of alkaloids in biological specimens is also of great importance for forensic and toxicological laboratories. The review addresses the analytical aspects of kratom spanning the extraction techniques used to isolate the alkaloids, the qualitative and quantitative analytical methods and the strategies for the distinction of the naturally occurring isomers.

Identification and quantification of eight alkaloids in Aconitum heterophyllum using UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS: A valuable tool for quality control

INTRODUCTION

Aconitum spp. are prime medicinal plants rich in alkaloids and have been used as the main constituents of traditional medicine in India and China. The whole plant can be toxic and creates pathophysiological conditions inside the human body. Therefore, simultaneous quantification of alkaloids within plant parts and herbal medicines associated with this genus is essential for quality control.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop and validate methods using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-quadrupole time-of-flight ion mobility mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS) and to develop an analytical strategy for the identification and quantification of alkaloid compounds (aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine, aconine, benzoylmesaconitine, benzoylaconine, bulleyaconitine A, and deoxyaconitine) from Aconitum heterophyllum.

METHODOLOGY

We developed a simultaneous identification and quantification method for eight alkaloids using UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-IMS. The method was validated as per International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines and also in IMS mode.

RESULTS

The developed method has good linearity (r²  = 0.997-0.999), LOD (0.63-8.31 μg/mL), LOQ (0.63-2.80 μg/mL), recovery (86.01-104.33%), reproducibility, intra- and inter-day variability (<3.25%), and stability. Significant qualitative and quantitative variations were found among different plant parts (flower, leaf, stem, root, and tuber) and five market products of A. heterophyllum. Furthermore, a total of 21 metabolites were also profiled based on the fragmentation pattern of MS² using the validated method.

CONCLUSION

An appropriate mobile phase using acetonitrile and water in a gradient elution gave a satisfactory chromatographic separation of eight Aconitum alkaloids with their adjacent peaks. Therefore, this method could provide a scientific and technical platform for quality control assurance.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Validation: Quantitative Analysis of Indole and Oxindole Alkaloids Reveals Chemotypes of Plants and Products

Many consumers are turning to kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) to self-manage pain and opioid addiction. In the United States, an array of capsules, powders, and loose-leaf kratom products are readily available. Additionally, several online sites supply live kratom plants. A prerequisite to establishing quality control and quality assurance standards for the kratom industry, or understanding how alkaloid levels effect clinical outcomes, is the identification and quantitation of major and minor alkaloid constituents within available products and preparations. To this end, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry method was developed for the analysis of 8 indole alkaloids (7-hydroxymitragynine, ajmalicine, paynantheine, mitragynine, speciogynine, isopaynantheine, speciociliatine, and mitraciliatine) and 6 oxindole alkaloids (isomitraphylline, isospeciofoleine, speciofoline, corynoxine A, corynoxeine, and rhynchophylline) in US-grown kratom plants and commercial products. These commercial products shared a qualitatively similar alkaloid profile, with 12 - 13 detected alkaloids and high levels of the indole alkaloid mitragynine (13.9 ± 1.1 - 270 ± 24 mg/g). The levels of the other major alkaloids (paynantheine, speciociliatine, speciogynine, mitraciliatine, and isopaynantheine) and the minor alkaloids varied in concentration from product to product. The alkaloid profile of US-grown M. speciosa "Rifat" showed high levels of the indole alkaloid speciogynine (7.94 ± 0.83 - 11.55 ± 0.18 mg/g) and quantifiable levels of isomitraphylline (0.943 ± 0.033 - 1.47 ± 0.18 mg/g). Notably, the alkaloid profile of a US-grown M. speciosa seedling was comparable to the commercial products with a high level of mitragynine (15.01 ± 0.20 mg/g). This work suggests that there are several M. speciosa chemotypes.

Changes in Serum Blood Parameters in Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fed with Diets Supplemented with Waste Derived from Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

The antimicrobial and immunostimulant proprieties of aromatic plant extracts have been widely described, but their effects on serum blood biochemistry in fish have not. For this study, we assessed the changes in serum blood biochemical parameters in rainbow trout fed with a fish diet supplemented with a basil supercritical extract (F1-BEO). Our hypothesis was that treatment and time would be associated with changes in 10 serum blood biochemical parameters. F1-BEO was added to a commercial feed (0.5, 1, 2, 3% w/w). The fish were fed for 30 days, and the blood samples were collected at 2 time points (15 and 30 days). A two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of treatment, time, and interaction treatment × time on creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, magnesium, and phosphorus (p < 0.05), a significant effect of both time and interaction treatment × time on cholesterol (CHOL), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels, and a significant effect of time on triglycerides (p < 0.05). While changes in several of the parameters were observed, the levels remained within the normal range for rainbow trout. Notably, after 30 days there was a significant decrease in CHOL in fish treated with 0.5% and 1% w/w F1-BEO (p < 0.05). The statistically non-significant increase in GOT and GPT in the fish fed with F1-BEO up to 3% w/w indicated a positive effect of basil on liver health. Our findings suggest a potential use for basil extracts (for example., F1-BEO) in fish feed to reduce antibiotic use and improve fish welfare.

Modulation of Antioxidant Defense in Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fed with a Diet Supplemented by the Waste Derived from the Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Phytotherapy is based on the use of plants to prevent or treat human and animal diseases. Recently, the use of essential oils and polyphenol-enriched extracts is also rapidly increasing in the aquaculture sector as a means of greater industrial and environmental sustainability. Previous studies assessed the antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of these bioactive compounds on fish. However, studies on the modulation of oxidative stress biomarkers are still scant to date. Thus, in this study, the modulation of antioxidant defense against oxidative stress exerted by fish diets supplemented with a basil supercritical extract (F1-BEO) was assessed in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. The F1-BEO extracted with supercritical fluid extraction was added to the commercial feed flour (0.5, 1, 2, 3% w/w) and mixed with fish oil to obtain a suitable compound for pellet preparation. Fish were fed for 30 days. The levels of stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glyoxalase I, glyoxalase II, lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione and malondialdehyde showed a boost in the antioxidant pathway in fish fed with a 0.5% F1-BEO-supplemented diet. Higher F1-BEO supplementation led to a failure of activity of several enzymes and the depletion of glutathione levels. Malondialdehyde concentration suggests a sufficient oxidative stress defense against lipid peroxidation in all experimental groups, except for a 3% F1-BEO-supplemented diet (liver 168.87 ± 38.79 nmol/mg prot; kidney 146.86 ± 23.28 nmol/mg prot), compared to control (liver 127.76 ± 18.15 nmol/mg prot; kidney 98.68 ± 15.65 nmol/mg prot). Our results suggest supplementing F1-BEO in fish diets up to 0.5% to avoid potential oxidative pressure in farmed trout.

Accelerated Solvent Extractions (ASE) of Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (Kratom) Leaves: Evaluation of Its Cytotoxicity and Antinociceptive Activity

Mitragyna speciosa Korth (kratom) is known for its psychoactive and analgesic properties. Mitragynine is the primary constituent present in kratom leaves. This study highlights the utilisation of the green accelerated solvent extraction technique to produce a better, non-toxic and antinociceptive active botanical extract of kratom. ASE M. speciosa extract had a dry yield (0.53–2.91 g) and showed a constant mitragynine content (6.53–7.19%) when extracted with organic solvents of different polarities. It only requires a shorter extraction time (5 min) and a reduced amount of solvents (less than 100 mL). A substantial amount of total phenolic (407.83 ± 2.50 GAE mg/g and flavonoids (194.00 ± 5.00 QE mg/g) were found in ASE kratom ethanol extract. The MTT test indicated that the ASE kratom ethanolic leaf extract is non-cytotoxic towards HEK-293 and HeLa Chang liver cells. In mice, ASE kratom ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg) demonstrated a better antinociceptive effect compared to methanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts. The presence of bioactive indole alkaloids and flavonols such as mitragynine, paynantheine, quercetin, and rutin in ASE kratom ethanolic leaf extract was detected using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis supports its antinociceptive properties. ASE ethanolic leaf extract offers a better, safe, and cost-effective choice of test botanical extract for further preclinical studies.

Optimizing the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves and UPLC-MS/MS analysis

To study the application value of sweet cherry leaves before abscission, a supercritical carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2) extraction method was established for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves. The extraction temperature, pressure and time were optimized with a Box-Behnken design, and the optimal conditions were 43 °C, 30 MPa, and 120 min, resulting in a yield of 2.52 ± 0.261% (w/w), which agrees well with the predicted value. The yield of the sweet cherry leaf extracts obtained by methanol solvent extraction is 2.03% (w/w); the SFE-CO2 extraction method was more efficient and had a higher yield than the methanol solvent extraction method, and the adverse effects of organic solvent residues and high temperatures on the product during traditional solvent extraction were avoided, resulting in a higher quality product. UPLC-MS/MS in negative ion mode provided 56 identifiable chromatographic peaks, including those of 31 acids (13.25%), 5 sugars (15.94%), 2 alcohols (6.19%), and 18 other compounds (3.86%). The fragmentation pathways of the 7 main components in the sweet cherry leaf extract were identified. The carbohydrates and bioactive substances in the extracts obtained from sweet cherry leaves suggested the potential use of sweet cherry leaves in the food and medical industries.

G protein-biased kratom-alkaloids and synthetic carfentanil-amide opioids as potential treatments for alcohol use disorder

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Mitragyna speciosa, more commonly known as kratom, is a plant that contains opioidergic alkaloids but is unregulated in most countries. Kratom is used in the self-medication of chronic pain and to reduce illicit and prescription opioid dependence. Kratom may be less dangerous than typical opioids because of the stronger preference of kratom alkaloids to induce receptor interaction with G proteins over β-arrestin proteins. We hypothesized that kratom (alkaloids) can also reduce alcohol intake.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We pharmacologically characterized kratom extracts, kratom alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, paynantheine, and speciogynine) and synthetic carfentanil-amide opioids for their ability to interact with G proteins and β-arrestin at μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors in vitro. We used C57BL/6 mice to assess to which degree these opioids could reduce alcohol intake and whether they had rewarding properties.

KEY RESULTS

Kratom alkaloids were strongly G protein-biased at all three opioid receptors and reduced alcohol intake, but kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine were rewarding. Several results indicated a key role for δ opioid receptors, including that the synthetic carfentanil-amide opioid MP102-a G protein-biased agonist with modest selectivity for δ opioid receptors-reduced alcohol intake, whereas the G protein-biased μ opioid agonist TRV130 did not.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results suggest that kratom extracts can decrease alcohol intake but still carry significant risk upon prolonged use. Development of more δ opioid-selective synthetic opioids may provide a safer option than kratom to treat alcohol use disorder with fewer side effects.

Characteristics of deaths associated with kratom use

BACKGROUND

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) use has increased in Western countries, with a rising number of associated deaths. There is growing debate about the involvement of kratom in these events.

AIMS

This study details the characteristics of such fatalities and provides a 'state-of-the-art' review.

METHODS

UK cases were identified from mortality registers by searching with the terms 'kratom', 'mitragynine', etc. Databases and online media were searched using these terms and 'death', 'fatal*', 'overdose', 'poisoning', etc. to identify additional cases; details were obtained from relevant officials. Case characteristics were extracted into an Excel spreadsheet, and analysed employing descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Typical case characteristics (n = 156): male (80%), mean age 32.3 years, White (100%), drug abuse history (95%); reasons for use included self-medication, recreation, relaxation, bodybuilding, and avoiding positive drug tests. Mitragynine alone was identified/implicated in 23% of cases. Poly substance use was common (87%), typically controlled/recreational drugs, therapeutic drugs, and alcohol. Death cause(s) included toxic effects of kratom ± other substances; underlying health issues.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings add substantially to the knowledge base on kratom-associated deaths; these need systematic, accurate recording. Kratom's safety profile remains only partially understood; toxic and fatal levels require quantification.

Antinociceptive and antioxidant effects of extract enriched with active indole alkaloids from leaves of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ethnopharmacological knowledge is important for the identification of active compounds from natural products. Pain may have different aetiologies with complex mechanisms. Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. is well known for indole alkaloids, being used empirically in folk medicine, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory as well as antiofidic actions among others.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work aims to evaluate the antinociceptive and antioxidant effect in mice of the alkaloids extract from leaves of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. (AITc).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AITc was produced by ultrasound and acid-base extraction, and the chemical composition was evaluated by high resolution mass spectrometry. Male mice (Mus musculus), Swiss, were used for in vivo tests. The AITc was administrated at doses of 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg in acetic acid model, formalin, tail-immersion, hot plate, and open field tests, and compared to saline, morphine, or diazepam controls, depending on the test. The toxicological, biochemical, haemogram and antioxidant effect were evaluated in mouse organs such as liver, brain, kidneys, spleen and stomach.

RESULTS

In total, 10 compounds were identified in the AITc, being from the indole alkaloids from the ibogan and corynanthean classes. The extract in doses ranging from 5.0 to 10.0 mg/kg showed an antinociceptive effect for acetic acid, inhibiting by 47.7% and 61.6%. In the same line, reductions of 47.1% (first phase) and 43.6% (second phase) were observed for the 5.0 mg/kg dose in the formalin test. However, tail-immersion and hot plate tests did not show considerable modifications in the latency period, while in the open field test there was an inhibition of only 5.1%. It was observed no differences in NO levels and total antioxidant status of the mice in any of the studie tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The results justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine. in vivo tests indicate that these compounds possess central and peripheral mechanisms of action. This is study that reports the nociceptive action of these alkaloids, also including toxicity tests, which are intended to guarantee the safety of use of extracts of this plant.

Mitragynine (Kratom) impairs spatial learning and hippocampal synaptic transmission in rats

BACKGROUND

Mitragynine is the major alkaloid of Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) or Kratom, a psychoactive plant widely abused in Southeast Asia. While addictive effects of the substance are emerging, adverse cognitive effects of this drug and neuropharmacological actions are insufficiently understood.

AIMS

In the present study, we investigated the effects of mitragynine on spatial learning and synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats received daily (for 12 days) training sessions in the Morris water maze, with each session followed by treatment either with mitragynine (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg; intraperitoneally), morphine (5 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) or a vehicle. In the second experiment, we recorded field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the hippocampal CA1 area in anesthetized rats and assessed the effects of mitragynine on baseline synaptic transmission, paired-pulse facilitation, and long-term potentiation. Gene expression of major memory- and addiction-related genes was investigated and the effects of mitragynine on Ca²⁺ influx was also examined in cultured primary neurons from E16-E18 rats.

RESULTS/OUTCOMES

Escape latency results indicate that animals treated with mitragynine displayed a slower rate of acquisition as compared to their control counterparts. Further, mitragynine treatment significantly reduced the amplitude of baseline (i.e. non-potentiated) field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and resulted in a minor suppression of long-term potentiation in CA1. Bdnf and αCaMKII mRNA expressions in the brain were not affected and Ca²⁺ influx elicited by glutamate application was inhibited in neurons pre-treated with mitragynine.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These data suggest that high doses of mitragynine (5 and 10 mg/kg) cause memory deficits, possibly via inhibition of Ca²⁺ influx and disruption of hippocampal synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation induction.

Mitragyna speciosa: Clinical, Toxicological Aspects and Analysis in Biological and Non-Biological Samples

The abuse of psychotropic substances is a well-known phenomenon, and many of them are usually associated with ancestral traditions and home remedies. This is the case of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tropical tree used to improve work performance and to withstand great heat. According to several published studies, the main reasons for kratom consumption involve improving sexual performance and endurance, but also social and recreational uses for the feeling of happiness and euphoria; it is also used for medical purposes as a pain reliever, and in the treatment of diarrhea, fever, diabetes, and hypertension. However, this plant has gained more popularity amongst young people over the last years. Since it is available on the internet for purchase, its use is now widely as a drug of abuse, namely as a new psychoactive substance, being a cheaper alternative to opioids that does not require medical prescription in most countries. According to internet surveys by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction in 2008 and 2011, kratom was one of the most widely supplied new psychoactive substances. The composition of kratom is complex; in fact, more than 40 different alkaloids have been identified in Mitragyna speciosa so far, the major constituent being mitragynine, which is exclusive to this plant. Besides mitragynine, alkaloids such as corynantheidine and 7-hydroxamitragynine also present pharmacological effects, a feature that may be attributed to the remaining constituents as well. The main goal of this review is not only to understand the origin, chemistry, consumption, and analytical methodologies for analysis and mechanism of action, but also the use of secondary metabolites of kratom as therapeutic drugs and the assessment of potential risks associated with its consumption, in order to aid health professionals, toxicologists, and police authorities in cases where this plant is present.

Bio-guided search of active indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana catharinensis: Antitumour activity, toxicity in silico and molecular modelling studies

Active plant metabolites have been used as prototype drugs. In this context, Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) has been highlighted because of the presence of active indole alkaloids. Thus, this study aims the bio-guided search of T. catharinensis cytotoxic alkaloids. The chemical composition was identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry, and fractionation was performed by open column and preparative thin-layer chromatography, from plant stems. The enriched fractions were tested in vitro in tumour cells A375 (melanoma cell line) and A549 (adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells), and non-tumour Vero cells (African green monkey kidney epithelial cells). The alkaloids identified as active were submitted to in silico toxicity prediction by ADME-Tox and OSIRIS programs and, also, to molecular docking, using topoisomerase I (PDB ID: 1SC7) by iGEMDOCK. As a result, six sub-fractions were obtained, which were identified as containing 16-epi-affinine, 12-methoxy-n-methyl-voachalotine, affinisine, voachalotine, coronaridine hydroxyindoline and ibogamine, respectively. The affinisine-containing sub-fraction showed selective toxicity against A375, with an IC₅₀ of 11.73 µg mL^-1, and no cytotoxicity against normal cells (Vero). From the in silico toxicity test results, all indole alkaloid compounds had a low toxicity risk. The molecular docking data provided structural models and binding affinities of the plant's indole alkaloids and topoisomerase I. In summary, this bio-guided search revealed that the indole alkaloids from T. catharinensis display selective cytotoxicity in A375 tumour cells and toxicity in silico. Particularly, affinisine might be a chemotherapeutic for A375 melanoma cells.

Alkaloid Profiles and Activity in Different Mitragyna speciosa Strains

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), 7-hydroxymitragynine (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/H2O 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.

Fatal Mitragynine-Associated Toxicity in Canada: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mitragynine is amongst the more than 40 natural indole alkaloids derived from the Mitragyna speciosa, or kratom tree, also referred to as ketum. The compound is unique in that it exhibits dose-dependent clinical outcomes with stimulant effects at lower doses but sedative effects at higher concentrations. It is indigenous to Southeast Asia, where the local population has had extensive experiences utilizing the substance for its medicinal as well as recreational effects. Mitragynine is advertised as an herbal remedy and is readily accessible via the Internet, resulting in its expansive distribution throughout the world. The addictive potential of this substance is quickly becoming recognized and mitragynine has been implicated in multidrug toxicity deaths. We present a case of the first reported mitragynine-associated fatality in Canada where an independently fatal mitragynine concentration was detected in the postmortem femoral venous blood and the source drug was likely obtained as a powder from Indonesia. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2018 8(2): 340-346.

Neurobiology of Kratom and its main alkaloid mitragynine

Kratom or its main alkaloid, mitragynine is derived from the plant Mitragyna speciosa Korth which is indigenous to Southeast Asian countries. This substance has become widely available in other countries like Europe and United States due to its opium- and coca-like effects. In this article, we have reviewed available reports on mitragynine and other M. speciosa extracts. M. speciosa has been proven to have a rewarding effect and is effective in alleviating the morphine and ethanol withdrawal effects. However, studies in human revealed that prolonged consumption of this plant led to dependence and tolerance while cessation caused a series of aversive withdrawal symptoms. Findings also showed that M. speciosa extracts possess antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and muscle relaxant properties. Available evidence further supports the adverse effects of M. speciosa preparations, mitragynine on cognition. Pharmacological activities are mainly mediated via opioid receptors as well as neuronal Ca²⁺ channels, expression of cAMP and CREB protein and via descending monoaminergic system. Physicochemical properties of mitragynine have been documented which may further explain the variation in pharmacological responses. In summary, current researchs on its main indole alkaloid, mitragynine suggest both therapeutic and addictive potential but further research on its molecular effects is needed.

Determination of mitragynine in urine matrices by bar adsorptive microextraction and HPLC analysis

Bar adsorptive microextraction combined with liquid desorption followed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (BAµE-LD/HPLC-DAD) is proposed for the determination of the psychoactive alkaloid mitragynine (MG) in human urine matrices. By using a modified N-vinylpyrrolidone polymer (P2) sorbent phase, high selectivity and efficiency is achieved. Assays performed by BAµE(P2)-LD/HPLC-DAD on 25 mL water samples spiked at the 8.0 µg L(-1) level yielded average recoveries around 100% of MG, under optimized experimental conditions. The analytical performance showed good precision (RSD<15%), appropriated detection limits of 0.10 µg L(-1) and linear dynamic ranges (0.6-24.0 μg L(-1)) with convenient determination coefficients of 0.9924. By using the standard addition method, the application of the present methodology for the determination of MG in human urine matrices after Kratom consumer, allowed very good performances. The proposed methodology proved to be a suitable alternative to monitor MG in biological fluid matrices, showing to be easy to implement, reliable, sensitive and requiring low sample volumes, when compared with other sorbent-based methods.

Identification of active compounds from Caesalpinia sappan L. extracts suppressing IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells by PLS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Caesalpinia sappan L. is distributed in Southeast Asia and also used as herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as burning sensations, leprosy, dysentery, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The overproduction of IL-6 plays an important role in the prognosis of RA, but the active compounds from the extracts of Caesalpinia sappan L. suppressing IL-6 production remain unknown.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

Identifying the main active compounds of Caesalpinia sappan L. extracts inhibiting the IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by partial least squares (PLS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-four samples with different proportions of compounds were prepared from Caesalpinia sappan L. by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SCFE) and refluxing. Each of 64 samples was applied to RAW 264.7 cells with LPS to evaluate whether IL-6 production by LPS is affected by addition of each sample. The IL-6 production in medium was determined by ELISA and the inhibitory activity of each sample was analyzed. In addition, the fingerprints of these 64 samples were also established by ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). We used the PLS, a simplified method, to evaluate the results from IL-6 production and fingerprints.

RESULTS

Each of 64 samples markedly suppressed LPS-induced IL-6 production in RAW cells. The fingerprints by UPLC-MS clearly revealed variations among 64 samples produced in different extract conditions. The PLS analysis with IL-6 production and fingerprints by UPLC-MS suggested that the peaks 71, 93, 150, 157, 168 have more influence on the inhibitory activity of Caesalpinia sappan L. extracts. The peaks 71, 93, 150 are likely representing sappanone A, protosappanin E and neoprotosappanin, respectively. The peaks 157 and 168 are still at large.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report that sappanone A, protosappanin E, neoprotosappanin and two unidentified compounds can be considered as possible active compounds that might inhibit IL-6 production. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these five compounds on IL-6 production and possible mechanism.

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of seed oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) and its antioxidant activity and fatty acid composition

In the present study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction of seed oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) was investigated. The effects of process variables namely pressure (150–300 bar), temperature (40–50 °C) and dynamic extraction time (60–120 min) on crude extraction yield (CEY) were studied through response surface methodology (RSM). The SC-CO₂ extraction process was modified using ethanol (99.9%) as co-solvent. Perturbation plot revealed the significant effect of all process variables on the CEY. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the process conditions to achieve maximum CEY. The optimum conditions were 244 bar pressure, 46 °C temperature and 97 min dynamic extraction time. Under these optimal conditions, the CEY was predicted to be 176.30 mg-extract/g-dried sample. The validation experiment results agreed with the predicted value. The antioxidant activity and fatty acid composition of crude oil obtained under optimized conditions were determined and compared with published results using Soxhlet extraction (SE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE). It was found that the antioxidant activity of the extract obtained by SC-CO₂ extraction was strongly higher than those obtained by SE and UAE. Identification of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) showed that all the extracts were rich in unsaturated fatty acids with the most being linoleic acid. In contrast, the amount of saturated fatty acids extracted by SE was higher than that extracted under optimized SC-CO₂ extraction conditions.

Green ultrasound-assisted extraction of carotenoids based on the bio-refinery concept using sunflower oil as an alternative solvent

A green, inexpensive and easy-to-use method for carotenoids extraction from fresh carrots assisted by ultrasound was designed in this work. Sunflower oil was applied as a substitute to organic solvents in this green ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE): a process which is in line with green extraction and bio-refinery concepts. The processing procedure of this original UAE was first compared with conventional solvent extraction (CSE) using hexane as solvent. Moreover, the UAE optimal conditions for the subsequent comparison were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) and ultra performance liquid chromatography--diode array detector--mass spectroscopy (UPLC-DAD-MS). The results showed that the UAE using sunflower as solvent has obtained its highest β-carotene yield (334.75 mg/l) in 20 min only, while CSE using hexane as solvent obtained a similar yield (321.35 mg/l) in 60 min. The green UAE performed under optimal extraction conditions (carrot to oil ratio of 2:10, ultrasonic intensity of 22.5 W cm(-2), temperature of 40 °C and sonication time of 20 min) gave the best yield of β-carotene.

From Kratom to mitragynine and its derivatives: physiological and behavioural effects related to use, abuse, and addiction

Kratom (or Ketum) is a psychoactive plant preparation used in Southeast Asia. It is derived from the plant Mitragyna speciosa Korth. Kratom as well as its main alkaloid, mitragynine, currently spreads around the world. Thus, addiction potential and adverse health consequences are becoming an important issue for health authorities. Here we reviewed the available evidence and identified future research needs. It was found that mitragynine and M. speciosa preparations are systematically consumed with rather well defined instrumentalization goals, e.g. to enhance tolerance for hard work or as a substitute in the self-treatment of opiate addiction. There is also evidence from experimental animal models supporting analgesic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory as well as strong anorectic effects. In humans, regular consumption may escalate, lead to tolerance and may yield aversive withdrawal effects. Mitragynine and its derivatives actions in the central nervous system involve μ-opioid receptors, neuronal Ca²⁺ channels and descending monoaminergic projections. Altogether, available data currently suggest both, a therapeutic as well as an abuse potential.