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Sureram S, Chutiwitoonchai N, Pooprasert T, Sangsopha W, Limjiasahapong S, Jariyasopit N, Sirivatanauksorn Y, Khoomrung S, Mahidol C, Ruchirawat S, Kittakoop P. Discovery of procyanidin condensed tannins of (-)-epicatechin from Kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, as virucidal agents against SARS-CoV-2. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:133059. [PMID: 38866269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, is one of the most popular herbs in the West and Southeast Asia. A number of previous works have focused on bioactive alkaloids in this plant; however, non-alkaloids have never been investigated for their biological activities. Antiviral and virucidal assays of a methanol leaf extract of Kratom, M. speciosa, revealed that a crude extract displayed virucidal activity against the SARS-CoV-2. Activity-guided isolation of a methanol leaf extract of Kratom led to the identification of B-type procyanidin condensed tannins of (-)-epicatechin as virucidal compounds against SARS-CoV-2. The fraction containing condensed tannins exhibited virucidal activity with an EC50 value of 8.38 μg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) value >23.86. LC-MS/MS analysis and MALDI-TOF MS identified the structure of the virucidal compounds in Kratom as B-type procyanidin condensed tannins, while gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) revealed weight average molecular weight of 238,946 Da for high molecular-weight condensed tannins. In addition to alkaloids, (-)-epicatechin was found as a major component in the leaves of M. speciosa, but it did not have virucidal activity. Macromolecules of (-)-epicatechin, i.e., procyanidin condensed tannins, showed potent virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that the high molecular weights of these polyphenols are important for virucidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanya Sureram
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand University, Thailand
| | - Nopporn Chutiwitoonchai
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Tam Pooprasert
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand University, Thailand
| | - Watchara Sangsopha
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand University, Thailand
| | - Suphitcha Limjiasahapong
- Siriraj Metabolomics and Phenomics Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narumol Jariyasopit
- Siriraj Metabolomics and Phenomics Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellent in Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yongyut Sirivatanauksorn
- Siriraj Metabolomics and Phenomics Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellent in Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakda Khoomrung
- Siriraj Metabolomics and Phenomics Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellent in Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chulabhorn Mahidol
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand University, Thailand; Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Program in Chemical Sciences, Kamphaeng Phet, 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Somsak Ruchirawat
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand University, Thailand; Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Program in Chemical Sciences, Kamphaeng Phet, 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Prasat Kittakoop
- Chulabhorn Research Institute, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand University, Thailand; Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Program in Chemical Sciences, Kamphaeng Phet, 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
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Henningfield JE, Grundmann O, Huestis MA, Smith KE. Kratom safety and toxicology in the public health context: research needs to better inform regulation. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1403140. [PMID: 38887550 PMCID: PMC11180979 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1403140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Although kratom use has been part of life for centuries in Southeast Asia, the availability and use of kratom in the United States (US) increased substantially since the early 2000s when there was little information on kratom pharmacology, use patterns, and effects, all critical to guiding regulation and policy. Here we provide a synthesis of research with several hundred English-language papers published in the past 5 years drawing from basic research, epidemiological and surveillance data, and recent clinical research. This review of available literature aims to provide an integrated update regarding our current understanding of kratom's benefits, risks, pharmacology, and epidemiology, which may inform United States-based kratom regulation. Recent surveillance indicates there are likely several million past-year kratom consumers, though estimates vary widely. Even without precise prevalence data, kratom use is no longer a niche, with millions of United States adults using it for myriad reasons. Despite its botanical origins in the coffee tree family and its polypharmacy, kratom is popularly characterized as an opioid with presumed opioid-system-based risks for addiction or overdose. Neuropharmacology, toxicology, and epidemiology studies show that kratom is more accurately characterized as a substance with diverse and complex pharmacology. Taken together the work reviewed here provides a foundation for future scientific studies, as well as a guide for ongoing efforts to regulate kratom. This work also informs much-needed federal oversight, including by the United States Food and Drug Administration. We conclude with recommendations for kratom regulation and research priorities needed to address current policy and knowledge gaps around this increasingly used botanical product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack E. Henningfield
- Pinney Associates, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Marilyn A. Huestis
- Institute of Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kirsten E. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Grundmann O, Garcia-Romeu A, McCurdy CR, Sharma A, Smith KE, Swogger MT, Weiss ST. Not all kratom is equal: The important distinction between native leaf and extract products. Addiction 2024; 119:202-203. [PMID: 37814405 DOI: 10.1111/add.16366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Grundmann
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Albert Garcia-Romeu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kirsten E Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marc T Swogger
- Departments of Psychiatry and Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie T Weiss
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Huisman G, Menke M, Grundmann O, Schreiber R, Mason N. Examining the Psychoactive Differences between Kratom Strains. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6425. [PMID: 37510657 PMCID: PMC10379209 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a Southeast Asian plant containing various alkaloids that induce pharmacological effects in humans. In Western countries, online vendors sell a variety of different kratom strains which are marketed to have distinct effect profiles. However, as of yet such marketing claims are unsubstantiated, and therefore the current study investigated whether differently colored kratom products can induce distinct effects, as self-reported by users. Six hundred forty-four current kratom users were anonymously surveyed to compare the self-reported effects of and motivations for using kratom products sold as red, green, and white strains. Most of the survey respondents were customers of the same kratom vendor, the products of which had been analyzed for their alkaloid content by an independent laboratory. The survey respondents reported distinct subjective experiences for different kratom strains, in a manner congruent with common marketing descriptions. However, the product analyses revealed no significant cross-strain differences in alkaloid content, suggesting that the reported effect differences might be disproportionally influenced by marketing narratives and anecdotal reports. Future studies should engage a more diverse population and include kratom strains from various vendors. Controlled, blinded experiments could assess whether the reported effect differences stem from a placebo effect or from alternative factors, e.g., minor alkaloids and terpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Huisman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maximilian Menke
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Rudy Schreiber
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Natasha Mason
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Suhaimi FW, Aznal ANZ, Nor Hazalin NAM, Teh LK, Hassan Z, Salleh MZ. Kratom (M. speciosa) exposure during adolescence caused long-lasting cognitive behavioural deficits associated with perturbated brain metabolism pathways in adult rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 446:114411. [PMID: 36997094 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Kratom (M. speciosa Korth) is an herbal plant native to Southeast Asia. The leaves have been widely used to alleviate pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, the increasing trend of recreational use of kratom among youth is concerning because substance abuse may render the adolescent brain more susceptible to neuropathological processes, causing dramatic consequences that persist into adulthood. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of mitragynine, the main alkaloid and lyophilized kratom decoction (LKD) exposure during adolescence on cognitive behaviours and brain metabolite profiles in adult rats. Adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats were given mitragynine (3, 10 or 30mg/kg) or LKD orally for 15 consecutive days during postnatal days 31-45 (PND31-45). Behavioural testing was performed during adulthood (PND70-84) and the brains were subjected to metabolomic analysis. The results show that a high dose of mitragynine impaired long-term object recognition memory. Social behaviour and spatial learning were not affected, but both mitragynine and LKD impaired reference memory. Brain metabolomic study revealed several altered metabolic pathways that may be involved in the cognitive behavioural effects of LKD and mitragynine exposure. These pathways include arachidonic acid, taurine and hypotaurine, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism, while the N-isovalerylglycine was identified as the potential biomarker. In summary, adolescent kratom exposure can cause long-lasting cognitive behavioural deficits and alter brain metabolite profiles that are still evident in adulthood. This finding also indicates that the adolescent brain is vulnerable to the impact of early kratom use.
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