Mitragynine is an indole-based alkaloid and the most abundant active alkaloid in the Southeast Asian plant Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom.[4] The total alkaloid concentration in dried leaves ranges from 0.5 to 1.5%. In Thai varieties, mitragynine is the most abundant component (up to 66% of total alkaloids) while 7-hydroxymitragynine is a minor constituent (up to 2% of total alkaloid content). In Malaysian kratom varieties, mitragynine is present at lower concentration (12% of total alkaloids).[5] Such preparations are orally consumed and typically involve dried kratom leaves which are brewed into tea[4][5] or ground and placed into capsules.[5] Mitragynine consumption for medicinal and recreation purposes dates back centuries, although early use was primarily limited to Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Thailand where the plant grows indigenously.[6] Recently, mitragynine use has spread throughout Europe and the Americas as both a recreational and medicinal drug.[7] While research into the effects of kratom have begun to emerge, investigations on the active compound mitragynine are less common.
^ abHassan Z, Muzaimi M, Navaratnam V, Yusoff NH, Suhaimi FW, Vadivelu R, et al. (February 2013). "From Kratom to mitragynine and its derivatives: physiological and behavioural effects related to use, abuse, and addiction". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 37 (2): 138–151. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.012. PMID23206666. S2CID8463133.
^ abcWarner ML, Kaufman NC, Grundmann O (January 2016). "The pharmacology and toxicology of kratom: from traditional herb to drug of abuse". International Journal of Legal Medicine. 130 (1): 127–138. doi:10.1007/s00414-015-1279-y. PMID26511390. S2CID2009878.
^Prozialeck WC, Jivan JK, Andurkar SV (December 2012). "Pharmacology of kratom: an emerging botanical agent with stimulant, analgesic and opioid-like effects". The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 112 (12): 792–799. PMID23212430.