Displaying all 13 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. BROWNE J
    Med J Malaya, 1956 Mar;10(3):262-3.
    PMID: 13347457
    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  2. Singh D, Narayanan S, Vicknasingam B
    Brain Res Bull, 2016 09;126(Pt 1):41-46.
    PMID: 27178014 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.05.004
    INTRODUCTION: The objective of the paper was to highlight the differences in the traditional and non-traditional users of kratom in the South East Asian and Western contexts.

    METHOD: A literature survey of published kratom studies among humans was conducted. Forty published studies relevant to the objective were reviewed.

    RESULTS: Apart from the differences in the sources of supply, patterns of use and social acceptability of kratom within these two regions, the most interesting finding is its evolution to a recreational drug in both settings and the severity of the adverse effects of kratom use reported in the West. While several cases of toxicity and death have emerged in the West, such reports have been non-existent in South East Asia where kratom has had a longer history of use. We highlight the possible reasons for this as discussed in the literature. More importantly, it should be borne in mind that the individual clinical case-reports emerging from the West that link kratom use to adverse reactions or fatalities frequently pertained to kratom used together with other substances. Therefore, there is a danger of these reports being used to strengthen the case for legal sanction against kratom. This would be unfortunate since the experiences from South East Asia suggest considerable potential for therapeutic use among people who use drugs.

    CONCLUSION: Despite its addictive properties, reported side-effects and its tendency to be used a recreational drug, more scientific clinical human studies are necessary to determine its potential therapeutic value.

    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  3. Suhaimi FW, Yusoff NH, Hassan R, Mansor SM, Navaratnam V, Müller CP, et al.
    Brain Res Bull, 2016 09;126(Pt 1):29-40.
    PMID: 27018165 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.03.015
    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.
    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  4. Ismail I, Wahab S, Sidi H, Das S, Lin LJ, Razali R
    Curr Drug Targets, 2019;20(2):166-172.
    PMID: 28443503 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170425154120
    Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a naturally existing plant found in South-East Asia, is traditionally used as a herb to help elevate a person's energy and also to treat numerous medical ailments. Other than the analgesic property, kratom has been used as an agent to overcome opioid withdrawal as it contains natural alkaloids, i.e. mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and MGM-9, which has agonist affinity on the opioid receptors, including mu (µ) and kappa (κ). The role of neural reward pathways linked to µ-opioid receptors and both dopaminergic and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic interneurons that express µ-opioid receptors were deliberated. However, kratom has been reported to be abused together with other illicit substances with high risk of potential addiction. There are also anecdotes of adverse effects and toxicity of kratom, i.e. tremor, fatigue, seizure, and death. Different countries have distinctive regulation and policy on the plantation and use of this plant when most of the countries banned the use of it because of its addiction problems and side effects. The aim of this review is to highlight on the potential use of kratom, unique 'herbs" as a substitution therapy for chronic pain and opioid addiction, based on the neurobiological perspective of pain and the underlying mechanism of actions of drug addiction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alkaloids/adverse effects
  5. Singh D, Narayanan S, Vicknasingam B, Corazza O, Santacroce R, Roman-Urrestarazu A
    Hum Psychopharmacol, 2017 05;32(3).
    PMID: 28544011 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2582
    OBJECTIVE: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa. Korth) is an indigenous medicinal plant of Southeast Asia. This review paper aims to describe the trends of kratom use in Southeast Asia.

    DESIGN: A literature review search was conducted through ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProMed and Google Scholar. Twenty-five articles illustrating kratom use in humans in Southeast Asia were reviewed.

    RESULTS: Kratom has long been used by rural populations in Southeast Asia as a remedy for common ailments, to fight fatigue from hard manual work, as a drink during social interaction among men, and in village religious functions. Studies based on self-reports suggest that prolonged kratom use does not result in serious health risks or impair social functioning. Two recent trends have also emerged: (a) Kratom is reportedly being used to ease withdrawal from opioid dependence in rural settings; whereas (b) in urban areas, adulterated kratom cocktails are being consumed by younger people to induce euphoria.

    CONCLUSIONS: Legal sanctions appear to have preceded serious scientific investigations into the claimed benefits of ketum. More objective-controlled trials and experiments on humans need to be conducted to validate self-report claims by kratom users in the community.

    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  6. Prozialeck WC, Avery BA, Boyer EW, Grundmann O, Henningfield JE, Kruegel AC, et al.
    Int J Drug Policy, 2019 08;70:70-77.
    PMID: 31103778 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.003
    Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree-like plant indigenous to Southeast Asia. Its leaves, and the teas brewed from them have long been used by people in that region to stave off fatigue and to manage pain and opioid withdrawal. Evidence suggests kratom is being increasingly used by people in the United States and Europe for the self-management of opioid withdrawal and treatment of pain. Recent studies have confirmed that kratom and its chemical constituents have potentially useful pharmacological actions. However, there have also been increasing numbers of reports of adverse effects resulting from use of kratom products. In August 2016, the US Drug Enforcement Administration announced plans to classify kratom and its mitragynine constituents as Schedule I Controlled Substances, a move that triggered a massive response from pro-kratom advocates. The debate regarding the risks, and benefits and safety of kratom continues to intensify. Kratom proponents tout kratom as a safer and less addictive alternative to opioids for the management of pain and opioid addiction. The anti-kratom faction argues that kratom, itself, is a dangerous and addictive drug that ought to be banned. Given the widespread use of kratom and the extensive media attention it is receiving, it is important for physicians, scientists and policy makers to be knowledgeable about the subject. The purpose of this commentary is to update readers about recent developments and controversies in this rapidly evolving area. All of the authors are engaged in various aspects of kratom research and it is our intention to provide a fair and balanced overview that can form the basis for informed decisions on kratom policy. Our conclusions from these analyses are: (a) User reports and results of preclinical studies in animals strongly suggest that kratom and its main constituent alkaloid, mitragynine may have useful activity in alleviating pain and managing symptoms of opioid withdrawal, even though well-controlled clinical trials have yet to be done. (b) Even though kratom lacks many of the toxicities of classic opioids, there are legitimate concerns about the safety and lack of quality control of purported "kratom" products that are being sold in the US. (c) The issues regarding the safety and efficacy of kratom and its mitragynine constituent can only be resolved by additional research. Classification of the Mitragyna alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances would substantially impede this important research on kratom.
    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  7. Hassan R, Othman N, Mansor SM, Müller CP, Hassan Z
    Brain Res Bull, 2021 07;172:139-150.
    PMID: 33901587 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.04.018
    Mitragyna speciosa, also known as kratom, has been used for mitigating the severity of opioid withdrawal in humans. Its main indole alkaloid, mitragynine, has been considered as a pharmacotherapy for pain conditions and opioid replacement therapy. However, at high doses, chronic mitragynine may also have an addiction potential. The effects of chronic action of mitragynine in the brain are still unknown. The present study developed a mitragynine withdrawal model in rats and used it for a proteomic analysis of mitragynine withdrawal effects. Mitragynine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered daily over a period of 14 days and then withdrawn. A proteomic analysis revealed that from a total of 1524 proteins identified, 31 proteins were upregulated, and 3 proteins were downregulated in the mitragynine withdrawal model. The Rab35 protein expression increased most profoundly in the mitragynine withdrawal group as compared to vehicle group. Therefore, it is proposed that Rab35 in the brain might be considered as a potential biomarker during mitragynine withdrawal and might be valuable target protein in developing new pharmacotherapies in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  8. Ekeuku SO, Pang KL, Chin KY
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2020;14:4963-4974.
    PMID: 33235437 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S280520
    Palmatine is a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid with various pharmacological properties. Given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, palmatine may be able to impede the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its related diseases triggered by inflammation and oxidative stress. This review summarises the existing literature about the effects of palmatine supplementation on MetS and its complications. The evidence shows that palmatine could protect against MetS, and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, which might be associated with MetS. These protective effects are mediated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of palmatine. Although preclinical experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of palmatine against MetS and its related diseases, no human clinical trials have been performed to validate these effects. This research gap should be bridged to validate the efficacy and safety of palmatine supplementation in protecting humans against MetS and its related diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Berberine Alkaloids/adverse effects
  9. Hassan Z, Muzaimi M, Navaratnam V, Yusoff NH, Suhaimi FW, Vadivelu R, et al.
    Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2013 Feb;37(2):138-51.
    PMID: 23206666 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.012
    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.
    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  10. Harun N, Johari IS, Mansor SM, Shoaib M
    Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2020 Mar;237(3):855-867.
    PMID: 31832720 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05418-6
    RATIONALE: Kratom is proposed to exhibit therapeutic potential as an opium substitute, but little is known about its dependence-producing profile, particularly of its main psychoactive compound, mitragynine (MG).

    OBJECTIVES: This study examined the dependence-producing effects of MG using operant-scheduled behaviour in rats and investigated the potential therapeutic effect of MG by comparing effects to buprenorphine in morphine-dependent rats using the same schedule-controlled behavioural task.

    METHODS: The effects of acutely administered MG and morphine were determined in rats trained to respond under fixed-ratio (FR) 10 schedule of food reinforcement. Next, the rats were administered MG and morphine twice daily for 14 consecutive days to determine if physiological dependence would develop by examining cessation of drug treatment and following antagonist-precipitated withdrawal. The study then examined the effects of MG substitution to suppress naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal effects on scheduled responding.

    RESULTS: Acute doses of MG did not produce dose-related decreases on FR schedules of responding compared to morphine. Unlike morphine, MG-treated rats showed no suppression of response rates following cessation of MG treatment. However, withdrawal effects were evident for MG after precipitation by either naloxone or SR141716A (rimonabant), similar to morphine-treated rats. MG in higher doses (10 and 30 mg/kg) attenuated the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal effects while smaller doses of buprenorphine (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) were necessary to alleviate these effects.

    CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that MG does not induce physiological dependence but can alleviate the physical symptoms associated with morphine withdrawal which represent the desired characteristics of novel pharmacotherapeutic interventions for managing opioid use disorder (OUD).

    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  11. Leong Abdullah MFI, Tan KL, Narayanan S, Yuvashnee N, Chear NJY, Singh D, et al.
    Clin Toxicol (Phila), 2021 May;59(5):400-408.
    PMID: 32870119 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2020.1812627
    OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the cardiotoxic effects of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.), a medicinal plant. This analytical cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities and QTc intervals in regular kratom users compared with non-kratom-using control subjects.

    METHODS: We enrolled regular kratom users and non-kratom-using control subjects from three communities. Demographic data, clinical data, kratom use characteristics, and ECG findings were recorded. The mitragynine content of kratom juice was quantified using a validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method.

    RESULTS: A total of 200 participants (100 kratom users and 100 control subjects) participated in this study. The prevalence of ECG abnormalities in kratom users (28%) did not differ from that of control subjects (32%). Kratom use was not associated with ECG abnormalities, except for significantly higher odds of sinus tachycardia (OR = 8.61, 95% CI = 1.06-70.17, p = 0.035) among kratom users compared with control subjects. The odds of observing borderline QTc intervals were significantly higher for kratom users compared with control subjects, regardless of the age of first use, the duration of use, the daily quantity consumed, and the length of time that had elapsed between last kratom use and ECG assessment. Nevertheless, there were no differences in the odds of having prolonged QTc intervals between kratom users and controls. The estimated average daily intake of mitragynine consumed by kratom users was 434.28 mg.

    CONCLUSION: We found no link between regular kratom use and electrocardiographic abnormalities with an estimated average daily intake of 434.28 mg of mitragynine.

    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  12. Effendy MA, Yunusa S, Zain ZM, Hassan Z
    Neurosci Lett, 2021 10 15;763:136183.
    PMID: 34418508 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136183
    BACKGROUND: Mitragynine, the major indole alkaloid from Mitragyna speciosa has been reported previously to possess abuse liability. However, there are insufficient data suggesting the mechanism through which this pharmacological agent causes addiction.

    AIMS: In this study, we investigated the effects of mitragynine on dopamine (DA) level and dopamine transporter (DAT) expression from the rat's frontal cortex.

    METHODS: DA level was recorded in the brain samples of animals treated with acute or repeated exposure for 4 consecutive days with either vehicle or mitragynine (1 and 30 mg/kg) using electrochemical sensor. Animals were then decapitated and the brain regions were removed, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and immediately stored at -80 °C. DA level was quantified using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and DAT gene expression was determined using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

    RESULTS/OUTCOME: Mitragynine (1 and 30 mg/kg) did not increase DA release following acute treatment, however, after repeated exposure at day 4, mitragynine significantly and dose dependently increased DA release in the frontal cortex. In this study, we also observed a significant increase in DAT mRNA expression at day 4 in group treated with mitragynine (30 mg/kg).

    CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Data from this study indicates that mitragynine significantly increased DA release when administered repeatedly, increased in DAT mRNA expression with the highest tested dose (30 mg/kg). Therefore, the rewarding effects observed after mitragynine administration could be due to its ability to increase DA content in certain areas of the brain especially the frontal cortex.

    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*
  13. Singh D, Müller CP, Murugaiyah V, Hamid SBS, Vicknasingam BK, Avery B, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2018 Mar 25;214:197-206.
    PMID: 29248450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.12.017
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) from the Rubiaceae family is an indigenous tropical medicinal tree of Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves have been used for decades in Malaysia and Thailand in traditional context for its perceived vast medicinal value, and as a mild stimulant among manual labourers. Kratom consumption has been reported to cause side-effects in kratom users.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate kratom's effects towards hematological and clinical-chemistry parameters among regular kratom users in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 77 subjects (n=58 regular kratom users, and n=19 healthy controls) participated in this cross-sectional study. All the surveys were conducted through face-to-face interview to elicit subject's socio-demographic characteristics and kratom use history. A full-blood test was also administered. Laboratory analysis was conducted using GC-MS to determine mitragynine content in the acquired kratom samples in order to relate mitragynine consumption with possible alterations in the blood parameters of kratom users.

    RESULTS: Findings showed that there were no significant differences in the hematological and clinical-chemistry parameters of traditional kratom users and healthy controls, except for HDL and LDL cholesterol values; these were found to be above the normal reference range for the former. Similarly, long-term kratom consumption (>5 years), and quantity of daily kratom use (≥3 ½ glasses; mitragynine content 76.3-114.8mg) did not appear to alter the hematological and biochemical parameters of kratom users.

    CONCLUSION: These data suggest that even long-term and heavy kratom consumption did not significantly alter the hematological and clinical-chemistry parameters of kratom users in a traditional setting.

    Matched MeSH terms: Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links