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Garza-Garcia JJO, Qu Y. Chemical, pharmacological properties and biosynthesis of opioid mitragynine in Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 81:102600. [PMID: 39002353 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Mitragynine, an alkaloid found in Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), shows promise as a potential alternative to opioids owing to its distinctive indole alkaloid structure and its capacity for pain relief, alleviation of opioid withdrawal symptoms, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently the intricate process of mitragynine biosynthesis from the precursor strictosidine was elucidated, providing insights into the complex pathways responsible for synthesizing this opioid compound and its related diastereomers. As the search continues for the authentic hydroxylase and methyltransferase crucial for mitragynine formation, leveraging enzymes from other species and exploiting enzyme promiscuity has facilitated heterologous mitragynine biosynthesis in microbes. This highlights the extraordinary flexibility of enzymes in generating a spectrum of variations and analogs of kratom opioids within alternative biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Qu
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
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2
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Heywood J, Smallets S, Paustenbach D. Beneficial and adverse health effects of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A critical review of the literature. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 192:114913. [PMID: 39134135 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114913] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
Used in Southeast Asia for generations, kratom gained popularity in the United States and elsewhere over the past several decades. Derived from Mitragyna speciosa, kratom preparations including leaves, teas, powders, capsules, and extracts may yield stimulant, analgesic, and opioid-like effects that occur dose-dependently based on concentrations of kratom's key alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Such effects are responsible for kratom's potential as a reduced-harm alternative to opiates and as a withdrawal treatment. But these properties are also associated with tolerance development and addictive potential. Given mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine activity on cytochrome P450 isoforms and opioid receptors, adverse effects among polysubstance users are a concern. Current literature on the toxicology of kratom is reviewed, including product alkaloid concentrations, in vitro and in vivo data, epidemiological evidence, and human case data. The potential harms and benefits of kratom products are discussed within an exposure assessment framework, and recommendations for industry are presented. Current evidence indicates that kratom may have therapeutic potential in some persons and that products present few risks with typical, non-polysubstance use. However, few studies identified alkaloid doses at which adverse effects were expected in humans or animals. Such research is needed to inform future assessments of kratom's risks and benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Heywood
- Paustenbach and Associates, 1550 Wewatta Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO, USA.
| | - S Smallets
- Paustenbach and Associates, 1550 Wewatta Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO, USA
| | - D Paustenbach
- Paustenbach and Associates, 970 West Broadway, Suite E, Jackson, WY, USA
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3
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Chiang YH, Berthold EC, Kuntz MA, Kanumuri SRR, Senetra AS, Mukhopadhyay S, Hampson AJ, McCurdy CR, Sharma A. Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Mitragynine, the Major Alkaloid of Kratom, in Rats. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2452-2464. [PMID: 39144552 PMCID: PMC11320740 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
This study reports the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters for mitragynine and characterizes its elimination in male and female rats. Four male and female rats were dosed q12h with 40 mg/kg, and orally administered mitragynine for 5 and 6 days, respectively. Using a validated ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method, the plasma concentrations of mitragynine, its metabolites (7-hydroxymitragynine, 9-hydroxycorynantheidine, and mitragynine acid), and a non-CYP oxidation product (3-dehydromitragynine) were determined at various time points. Sex differences in pharmacokinetics were observed, with females demonstrating significantly higher systemic exposure of mitragynine than males. The mitragynine area under the curve normalized by the dose interval (AUC/τ) was 6741.6 ± 869.5 h*ng/mL in female rats and 1808.9 ± 191.3 h*ng/mL in males (p < 0.05). Both sexes produced similar metabolite profiles; the major metabolites were mitragynine acid and 9-hydroxycorynantheidine. 7-Hydroxymitragynine was a minor metabolite. However, higher exposure (AUCs) and the maximum plasma concentrations (C max) of active metabolites, 7-hydroxymitragynine and 9-hydroxycorynantheidine, were observed in female rats and exhibited substantial sex differences. Renal clearance of mitragynine (CLr) was low (0.64 ± 0.3 mL/h in males and 0.98 ± 0.4 mL/h in females), and unchanged mitragynine accounted for <1% of the dose excreted in feces (both sexes). The clinical chemistry, complete blood count, and hematological test results reported no abnormal hematological findings after multiple dosing in either sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hua Chiang
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Erin C. Berthold
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Michelle A. Kuntz
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Siva Rama Raju Kanumuri
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Translational
Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Alexandria S. Senetra
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Sushobhan Mukhopadhyay
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Aidan J. Hampson
- Division
of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug
Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Translational
Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Translational
Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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Arenson A, Campbell CI, Remler I. Psychoactive plant derivatives (ayahuasca, ibogaine, kratom) and their application in opioid withdrawal and use disorder - a narrative review. J Addict Dis 2024; 42:253-263. [PMID: 37199191 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2023.2195777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The opioid epidemic and limited access to treatment for opioid withdrawal (OW) and opioid use disorder (OUD) has led individuals to seek alternative treatments. This narrative review aims to educate clinicians on the mechanisms of action, toxicity, and applications of psychoactive plant-based substances patients may be using to self-treat OUD and OW. We specifically discuss ayahuasca, ibogaine, and kratom as they have the most evidence for applications in OUD and OW from the last decade (2012-2022). Evidence suggests these substances may have efficacy in treating OW and OUD through several therapeutic mechanisms including their unique pharmacodynamic effects, rituals performed around ingestion, and increased neuroplasticity. The current evidence for their therapeutic application in OUD and OW is primarily based on small observational studies or animal studies. High-quality, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify safety and efficacy of these substances in treatment of OW and OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Arenson
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia I Campbell
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ilan Remler
- Addiction Medicine and Recovery Services, Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center, San Leandro, CA, USA
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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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McCurdy CR, Sharma A, Smith KE, Veltri CA, Weiss ST, White CM, Grundmann O. An update on the clinical pharmacology of kratom: uses, abuse potential, and future considerations. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:131-142. [PMID: 38217374 PMCID: PMC10846393 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2305798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has generated substantial clinical and scientific interest as a complex natural product. Its predominant alkaloid mitragynine and several stereoisomers have been studied for activity in opioid, adrenergic, and serotonin receptors. While awaiting clinical trial results, the pre-clinical evidence suggests a range of potential therapeutic applications for kratom with careful consideration of potential adverse effects. AREAS COVERED The focus of this review is on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and potential drug-drug interactions of kratom and its individual alkaloids. A discussion on the clinical pharmacology and toxicology of kratom is followed by a summary of user surveys and the evolving concepts of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal associated with kratom use disorder. EXPERT OPINION With the increasing use of kratom in clinical practice, clinicians should be aware of the potential benefits and adverse effects associated with kratom. While many patients may benefit from kratom use with few or no reported adverse effects, escalating dose and increased use frequency raise the risk for toxic events in the setting of polysubstance use or development of a use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R McCurdy
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, FL, 32610, U.S.A
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, FL, 32610, U.S.A
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, FL, 32610, U.S.A
| | - Kirsten E. Smith
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, MD, 21205, U.S.A
| | - Charles A. Veltri
- Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Glendale, AZ, 85308, U.S.A
| | - Stephanie T. Weiss
- Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A
| | - Charles M. White
- University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT, and Department of Pharmacy, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, U.S.A
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, FL, 32610, U.S.A
- Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Glendale, AZ, 85308, U.S.A
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Kim K, Shahsavarani M, Garza-García JJO, Carlisle JE, Guo J, De Luca V, Qu Y. Biosynthesis of kratom opioids. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:757-769. [PMID: 37518950 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Mitragynine, an analgesic alkaloid from the plant Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), offers a safer alternative to clinical opioids such as morphine, owing to its more favorable side effect profile. Although kratom has been traditionally used for stimulation and pain management in Southeast Asia, the mitragynine biosynthesis pathway has remained elusive. We embarked on a search for mitragynine biosynthetic genes from the transcriptomes of kratom and other members of the Rubiaceae family. We studied their functions in vitro and in vivo. Our investigations led to the identification of several reductases and an enol methyltransferase that forms a new clade within the SABATH methyltransferase family. Furthermore, we discovered a methyltransferase from Hamelia patens (firebush), which catalyzes the final step. With the tryptamine 4-hydroxylase from the psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, we accomplished the four-step biosynthesis for mitragynine and its stereoisomer, speciogynine in both yeast and Escherichia coli when supplied with tryptamine and secologanin. Although we have yet to pinpoint the authentic hydroxylase and methyltransferase in kratom, our discovery completes the mitragynine biosynthesis. Through these breakthroughs, we achieved the microbial biosynthesis of kratom opioids for the first time. The remarkable enzyme promiscuity suggests the possibility of generating derivatives and analogs of kratom opioids in heterologous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyunghee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | | | | | - Jack Edward Carlisle
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Jun Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Vincenzo De Luca
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Yang Qu
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
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Farkas DJ, Cooper ZD, Heydari LN, Hughes AC, Rawls SM, Ward SJ. Kratom Alkaloids, Cannabinoids, and Chronic Pain: Basis of Potential Utility and Role in Therapy. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 37466474 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic neuropathic pain is as a severe detriment to overall quality of life for millions of Americans. Current pharmacological treatment options for chronic neuropathic pain are generally limited in efficacy and may pose serious adverse effects such as risk of abuse, nausea, dizziness, and cardiovascular events. Therefore, many individuals have resorted to methods of pharmacological self-treatment. This narrative review summarizes the existing literature on the utilization of two novel approaches for the treatment of chronic pain, cannabinoid constituents of Cannabis sativa and alkaloid constituents of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), and speculates on the potential therapeutic benefits of co-administration of these two classes of compounds. Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing the primary motivations for use of both kratom and cannabis products based on epidemiological data and summarize the pre-clinical evidence supporting the application of both kratom alkaloids and cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain. Data collection was performed using the PubMed electronic database. The following word combinations were used: kratom and cannabis, kratom and pain, cannabis and pain, kratom and chronic pain, and cannabis and chronic pain. Results: Epidemiological evidence reports that the self-treatment of pain is a primary motivator for use of both kratom and cannabinoid products among adult Americans. Further evidence shows that use of cannabinoid products may precede kratom use, and that a subset of individuals concurrently uses both kratom and cannabinoid products. Despite its growing popularity as a form of self-treatment of pain, there remains an immense gap in knowledge of the therapeutic efficacy of kratom alkaloids for chronic pain in comparison to that of cannabis-based products, with only three pre-clinical studies having been conducted to date. Conclusion: There is sufficient epidemiological evidence to suggest that both kratom and cannabis products are used to self-treat pain, and that some individuals actively use both drugs, which may produce potential additive or synergistic therapeutic benefits that have not yet been characterized. Given the lack of pre-clinical investigation into the potential therapeutic benefits of kratom alkaloids against forms of chronic pain, further research is warranted to better understand its application as a treatment alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Farkas
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ziva D Cooper
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Laila N Heydari
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amanda C Hughes
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sara Jane Ward
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Tabanelli R, Brogi S, Calderone V. Targeting Opioid Receptors in Addiction and Drug Withdrawal: Where Are We Going? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10888. [PMID: 37446064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article offers an outlook on the use of opioids as therapeutics for treating several diseases, including cancer and non-cancer pain, and focuses the analysis on the opportunity to target opioid receptors for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), drug withdrawal, and addiction. Unfortunately, as has been well established, the use of opioids presents a plethora of side effects, such as tolerance and physical and physiological dependence. Accordingly, considering the great pharmacological potential in targeting opioid receptors, the identification of opioid receptor ligands devoid of most of the adverse effects exhibited by current therapeutic agents is highly necessary. To this end, herein, we analyze some interesting molecules that could potentially be useful for treating OUD, with an in-depth analysis regarding in vivo studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Tabanelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Laforest LC, Kuntz MA, Kanumuri SRR, Mukhopadhyay S, Sharma A, O'Connor SE, McCurdy CR, Nadakuduti SS. Metabolite and Molecular Characterization of Mitragyna speciosa Identifies Developmental and Genotypic Effects on Monoterpene Indole and Oxindole Alkaloid Composition. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1042-1052. [PMID: 36913648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The monoterpene indole alkaloid (MIA) mitragynine has garnered attention as a potential treatment for pain, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal because of its combined pharmacology at opioid and adrenergic receptors in humans. This alkaloid is unique to Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), which accumulates over 50 MIAs and oxindole alkaloids in its leaves. Quantification of 10 targeted alkaloids from several tissue types and cultivars of M. speciosa revealed that mitragynine accumulation was highest in leaves, followed by stipules and stems, but was absent, along with other alkaloids, in roots. While mitragynine is the predominant alkaloid in mature leaves, juvenile leaves accumulate higher amounts of corynantheidine and speciociliatine. Interestingly, corynantheidine has an inverse relationship with mitragynine accumulation throughout leaf development. Characterization of various cultivars of M. speciosa indicated altered alkaloidal profiles ranging from undetectable to high levels of mitragynine. DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis using ribosomal ITS sequences revealed polymorphisms leading M. speciosa cultivars having lower mitragynine content to group with other mitragyna species, suggesting interspecific hybridization events. Root transcriptome analysis of low- and high-mitragynine-producing cultivars indicated significant differences in gene expression and revealed allelic variation, further supporting that hybridization events may have impacted the alkaloid profile of M. speciosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa C Laforest
- Plant Molecular and Cell Biology Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Michelle A Kuntz
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Siva Rama Raju Kanumuri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Sushobhan Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Sarah E O'Connor
- Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Satya Swathi Nadakuduti
- Plant Molecular and Cell Biology Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32606, United States
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11
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Smith KE, Rogers JM, Feldman JD. Kratom's Emergence and Persistence Within the US Polydrug Epidemic. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023; 10:262-271. [PMID: 37266191 PMCID: PMC10111073 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00476-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Use of "kratom" products, derived from the bioactive botanical Mitragyna speciosa have increased amidst US polydrug use epidemics. Kratom alkaloids interact with opioid, serotonergic, adrenergic, and other receptors and regular users have described experiencing a wide range of effects. Some with polydrug use histories have reported using kratom as a substitute for other drugs or to nonmedically self-manage substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Data describing this remain scare and come from self-report. We review this literature describing kratom use as a drug substitute, or as a nonmedical "self-treatment" for attenuating dependence or SUD symptoms. Recent Findings Kratom products have been documented as being used as a licit and illicit opioid substitute. Use to reduce alcohol or stimulant consumption is less well documented. Although prior and current polydrug use appear common among a some kratom users, it is unclear if co-use is contemporaneous or concomitant. Temporal order of use initiation is typically undocumented. Use for energy and recreation are also increasingly reported. Summary Data on kratom consumption come primarily from self-report with significant limitations. Until controlled human laboratory studies have been conducted, we can presently only describe what is known about human kratom use based on self-report. Such data describe real-world kratom use, leaving unaddressed human abuse liability or therapeutic potential of kratom alkaloids. Clinicians should be mindful of use motivations among people with SUD histories, sensitively assessing use. The paucity of data highlights the urgent need to increase funding and research for understanding kratom's effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Elin Smith
- Real-world Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd., Suite 200, Room 01B340, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Rogers
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Feldman
- Real-world Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd., Suite 200, Room 01B340, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
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12
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Mukhopadhyay S, Gupta S, Wilkerson JL, Sharma A, McMahon LR, McCurdy CR. Receptor Selectivity and Therapeutic Potential of Kratom in Substance Use Disorders. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00472-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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13
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Smith KE, Rogers JM, Strickland JC. Associations of Lifetime Nonmedical Opioid, Methamphetamine, and Kratom Use within a Nationally Representative US Sample. J Psychoactive Drugs 2022; 54:429-439. [PMID: 34842079 PMCID: PMC9148372 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2021.2006374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Co-use of non-medical opioids (NMO) and methamphetamine is increasing. So too is the use of the psychoactive botanical "kratom," including among people with NMO and methamphetamine use histories. We assessed characteristics associated with respondent groups who reported lifetime methamphetamine and/or kratom use within a nationally representative US sample using 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data from respondents reporting lifetime NMO use (diverted prescription opioids, heroin). Weighted prevalence estimates for demographic, mental health, and substance use outcomes were determined. Logistic regression examined associations between group membership and outcomes. Among this sample of respondents with lifetime NMO use, 67.6% (95% CI = 65.6-69.4%) reported only NMO use; 4.6% (3.9-5.4%) reported NMO+Kratom; 24.7% (22.7-26.7%) reported NMO+Methamphetamine; and 3.2% (2.5-3.9%) reported NMO+Methamphetamine+Kratom. Compared to those in the NMO-only group, the NMO+Kratom group was more likely to report past-year serious mental illness (SMI; OR = 2.27), suicidality (OR = 1.89), and past-month psychological distress (OR = 1.88). The NMO+Methamphetamine+Kratom group was more likely to report past-year SMI (OR = 2.65), past-month psychological distress (OR = 2.06), and unmet mental health needs (OR = 2.03); increased odds for drug injection, opioid withdrawal, and perceived treatment need also emerged. Risk factors were observed for all groups but were greatest among those reporting use of all three substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E. Smith
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd. Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Rogers
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd. Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Justin C. Strickland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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14
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Settle AG, Yang C. A Case of Severe Kratom Addiction Contributing to a Suicide Attempt. Cureus 2022; 14:e29698. [PMID: 36321032 PMCID: PMC9616552 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kratom is a plant product native to Southeast Asia that is surging in popularity in the United States as consumers look for natural remedies for ailments like chronic pain, anxiety, and even opioid addiction. Kratom's risks are largely unknown, and the market is poorly regulated. Americans typically get advice from online forums and purchase powder formulations from tobacco shops or obscure websites. These risks are highlighted in this case of a 38-year-old woman with a history of major depressive disorder and opioid use disorder who switched from Suboxone to kratom and became addicted, eventually consuming large quantities per day. Amplified by other stressors, she reached a breaking point and overdosed on her regular medications for depression. At the psychiatric hospital, she exhibited classic kratom withdrawal symptoms, including vague abdominal pain and restlessness. After eight days of treatment, her symptoms eventually abated, and she was discharged on Suboxone.
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15
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Stanciu C, Ahmed S, Gnanasegaram S, Gibson S, Penders T, Grundmann O, McCurdy C. Kratom as an opioid alternative: harm, or harm reduction? A systematic review of literature. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022; 48:509-528. [PMID: 36001875 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2111685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) products are increasingly endorsed for self-management of multiple ailments, including as opioid substitution. The FDA has expressed that there is no evidence to indicate that this botanical is safe or effective for any medical use.Objective: We systematically review the current state of the literature concerning the impact of kratom and its alkaloids in all paradigms that involve opioids.Methods: A keyword search of online literature databases identified 16 preclinical studies, 25 case reports, and 10 observational studies meeting our pre-selected criteria.Results: All rodent models support alkaloids' action on opioid receptors, translating in their ability to mitigate opioid withdrawal. Some studies found mitragynine (MG) to have less reinforcing properties than morphine, and possessing tolerance-sparing properties when coadministered with morphine. Two studies that assessed 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OHMG) found it to substitute for morphine with potential for tolerance and dependence. Aside from addiction development, case reports outline a variety of confounding toxicities. Ten surveys of users, some conducted with assistance from pro-kratom lobbying organizations, find a high self-reported efficacy as an opioid substitute, with minimal reported adverse effects.Conclusion: With no reported controlled human clinical trials, in the light of rising concerns surrounding kratom's liabilities, there is insufficient evidence to allow any conclusions to be drawn. Case reports and observational studies carry significant bias toward harm and efficacy, respectively. Existing animal studies are heterogeneous in methodology and ultimately findings, with concern for interspecies variability and human translatability. Further research should investigate the safety and efficacy of using kratom alkaloids as opioid substitutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornel Stanciu
- New Hampshire Hospital, Psychiatry at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, Concord, NH, USA
| | - Saeed Ahmed
- Department of Psychiatry, Rutland Regional Medical Centre, Rutland, VT, USA
| | | | - Stephen Gibson
- Pharmacy Department, New Hampshire Hospital, Concord, NH, USA
| | - Thomas Penders
- Department of Addiction, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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16
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Farkas DJ, Foss JD, Ward SJ, Rawls SM. Kratom alkaloid mitragynine: Inhibition of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice is dependent on sex and active adrenergic and opioid receptors. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:198-206. [PMID: 36093282 PMCID: PMC9459671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitragynine (MG) is an alkaloid found in Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) that is used as an herbal remedy for pain relief and opioid withdrawal. MG acts at μ-opioid and α-adrenergic receptors in vitro, but the physiological relevance of this activity in the context of neuropathic pain remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the effects of MG in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), and to investigate the potential impact of sex on MG's therapeutic efficacy. Inhibition of oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity was measured following intraperitoneal administration of MG. Both male and female C57BL/6J mice were used to characterize potential sex-differences in MG's therapeutic efficacy. Pharmacological mechanisms of MG were characterized through pretreatment with the opioid and adrenergic antagonists naltrexone, prazosin, yohimbine, and propranolol (1, 2.5, 5 mg/kg). Oxaliplatin produced significant mechanical allodynia of equal magnitude in both male and females, which was dose-dependently attenuated by repeated MG exposure. MG was more potent in males vs females, and the highest dose of MG (10 mg/kg) exhibited greater anti-allodynic efficacy in males. Mechanistically, activity at µ-opioid, α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors, but not β-adrenergic receptors contributed to the effects of MG against oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Repeated MG exposure significantly attenuated oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity with greater potency and efficacy in males, which has crucial implications in the context of individualized pain management. The opioid and adrenergic components of MG indicate that it shares pharmacological properties with clinical neuropathic pain treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Farkas
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Jeffery D. Foss
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Sara Jane Ward
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Scott M. Rawls
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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17
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Zhang M, Sharma A, León F, Avery B, Kjelgren R, McCurdy CR, Pearson BJ. Plant growth and phytoactive alkaloid synthesis in kratom [Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.)] in response to varying radiance. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0259326. [PMID: 35472200 PMCID: PMC9041851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Leaves harvested from kratom [Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.)] have a history of use as a traditional ethnobotanical medicine to combat fatigue and improve work productivity in Southeast Asia. In recent years, increased interest in the application and use of kratom has emerged globally, including North America, for its potential application as an alternative source of medicine for pain management and opioid withdrawal syndrome mitigation. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of major kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are well documented, foundational information on the impact of plant production environment on growth and kratom alkaloids synthesis is unavailable. To directly address this need, kratom plant growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and alkaloid concentration were evaluated under three lighting conditions: field full sun (FLD-Sun), greenhouse unshaded (GH-Unshaded), and greenhouse shaded (GH-Shaded). Nine kratom alkaloids were quantified using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Greenhouse cultivation generally promoted kratom height and width extension by 93-114% and 53-57%, respectively, compared to FLD-Sun. Similarly, total leaf area and leaf number were increased by 118-160% and 54-80% under such conditions. Average leaf size of plants grown under GH-Shaded was 41 and 69% greater than GH-Unshaded and FLD-Sun, respectively; however, no differences were observed between GH-Unshaded and FLD-Sun treatments. At the termination of the study, total leaf chlorophyll a+b content of FLD-Sun was 17-23% less than those grown in the greenhouse. Total leaf dry mass was maximized when cultivated in the greenhouse and was 89-91% greater than in the field. Leaf content of four alkaloids to include speciociliatine, mitraphylline, corynantheidine, and isocorynantheidine were not significantly impacted by lighting conditions, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine was below the lower limit of quantification across all treatments. However, mitragynine, paynantheine, and corynoxine concentration per leaf dry mass were increased by 40%, 35%, and 111%, respectively, when cultivated under GH-Shaded compared to FLD-Sun. Additionally, total alkaloid yield per plant was maximized and nearly tripled for several alkaloids when plants were cultivated under such conditions. Furthermore, rapid, non-destructive chlorophyll evaluation correlated well (r2 = 0.68) with extracted chlorophyll concentrations. Given these findings, production efforts where low-light conditions can be implemented are likely to maximize plant biomass and total leaf alkaloid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzi Zhang
- Department of Environmental Horticulture, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, Florida, United States of America
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Francisco León
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Bonnie Avery
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Roger Kjelgren
- Department of Environmental Horticulture, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, Florida, United States of America
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Brian J. Pearson
- Department of Environmental Horticulture, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, Florida, United States of America
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18
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Swogger MT, Smith KE, Garcia-Romeu A, Grundmann O, Veltri CA, Henningfield JE, Busch LY. Understanding Kratom Use: A Guide for Healthcare Providers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:801855. [PMID: 35308216 PMCID: PMC8924421 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.801855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Rubiaceae) is a plant native to Southeast Asia, where it has been used for centuries as a mild stimulant and as medicine for various ailments. More recently, as kratom has gained popularity in the West, United States federal agencies have raised concerns over its safety leading to criminalization in some states and cities. Some of these safety concerns have echoed across media and broad-based health websites and, in the absence of clinical trials to test kratom’s efficacy and safety, considerable confusion has arisen among healthcare providers. There is, however, a growing literature of peer-reviewed science that can inform healthcare providers so that they are better equipped to discuss kratom use with consumers and people considering kratom use within the context of their overall health and safety, while recognizing that neither kratom nor any of its constituent substances or metabolites have been approved as safe and effective for any disease. An especially important gap in safety-related science is the use of kratom in combination with physiologically active substances and medicines. With these caveats in mind we provide a comprehensive overview of the available science on kratom that has the potential to i clarity for healthcare providers and patients. We conclude by making recommendations for best practices in working with people who use kratom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc T Swogger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Kirsten E Smith
- Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Albert Garcia-Romeu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, Glendale, AZ, United States.,College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Charles A Veltri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Jack E Henningfield
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Pinney Associates, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lorna Y Busch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
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19
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Smith KE, Rogers JM, Dunn KE, Grundmann O, McCurdy CR, Schriefer D, Epstein DH. Searching for a Signal: Self-Reported Kratom Dose-Effect Relationships Among a Sample of US Adults With Regular Kratom Use Histories. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:765917. [PMID: 35300296 PMCID: PMC8921773 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.765917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is limited understanding regarding kratom use among US adults. Although motivations for use are increasingly understood, typical kratom doses, threshold of (low and high) doses for perceived effectiveness, and effects produced during cessation are not well documented. We aimed to extend prior survey work by recruiting adults with current and past kratom exposure. Our goal was to better understand kratom dosing, changes in routines, and perception of effects, including time to onset, duration, and variability of beneficial and adverse outcomes from use and cessation. Among respondents who reported experiencing acute kratom effects, we also sought to determine if effects were perceived as helpful or unhelpful in meeting daily obligations. Finally, we attempted to detect any signal of a relationship between the amount of kratom consumed weekly and weeks of regular use with ratings of beneficial effects from use and ratings of adverse effects from cessation. We conducted an online survey between April-May 2021 by re-recruiting participants from a separate study who reported lifetime kratom use. A total of 129 evaluable surveys were collected. Most (59.7%) had used kratom >100 times and reported currently or having previously used kratom >4 times per week (62 weeks on average). Under half (41.9%) reported that they considered themselves to be a current "regular kratom user." A majority (79.8%) reported experiencing acute effects from their typical kratom dose and that onset of effects began in minutes but dissipated within hours. Over a quarter reported that they had increased their kratom dose since use initiation, whereas 18.6% had decreased. Greater severity of unwanted effects from ≥1 day of kratom cessation was predicted by more weeks of regular kratom use (β = 6.74, p = 0.02). Acute kratom effects were largely reported as compatible with, and sometimes helpful in, meeting daily obligations. In the absence of human laboratory studies, survey methods must be refined to more precisely assess dose-effect relationships. These can help inform the development of controlled observational and experimental studies needed to advance the public health understanding of kratom product use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E Smith
- Real-World Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Rogers
- Real-World Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kelly E Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Destiny Schriefer
- Real-World Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David H Epstein
- Real-World Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
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20
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Physiological dependence to mitragynine indicated by a rapid cross-dependence procedure with heroin-dependent mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:897-908. [PMID: 35107609 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The potential of mitragynine to produce physiological dependence (withdrawal) was assessed using a rapid assessment procedure with male ICR mice exposed to heroin-admixed food followed by naloxone (subcutaneously, s.c.) precipitation of withdrawal. Initial studies indicated that 3 days of exposure to 3.0 mg/g of heroin-admixed food followed by naloxone (0.6 mg/kg) reliably precipitated withdrawal jumping and weight loss. Lower concentrations of heroin-admixed food and lower doses of naloxone produced fewer withdrawal signs. A longer exposure to heroin-admixed food did not produce significantly greater amounts of jumping or weight loss. Further, these withdrawal signs were dose-dependently reversed by s.c. administration of heroin immediately following naloxone administration. Mitragynine (s.c.) also dose-dependently suppressed naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs. Additionally, both jumping and weight loss were suppressed over a comparable range of mitragynine doses when administered by gavage with a noticeably, but not significantly, higher potency than with s.c. administration. The ED50 values for mitragynine for the suppression of withdrawal by any route (354-911 μmol/kg) were greater than the minimally effective dose that decreased locomotor activity (251 μmol/kg) and from 40- to 104-fold greater than those for heroin. The results suggest inherent opioid dependence liability of mitragynine. The in vivo potency relations between mitragynine and heroin are consistent with a conclusion of dependence-producing effects, indicated by the suppression of withdrawal, comparable to standard opioid μ-receptor agonists, differing primarily in terms of potency. The present paper provides a method for the rapid assessment of physiological dependence liability applicable to other kratom plant constituents or any potential opioid dependence-producing agents.
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21
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Singh D, Narayanan S, Vicknasingam B, Prozialeck WC, Smith KE, Corazza O, Henningfield JE, Grundmann O. The Use of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Among People Who Co-use Heroin and Methamphetamine in Malaysia. J Addict Med 2022; 16:223-228. [PMID: 34001777 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.), an indigenous medicinal plant, has been widely used as a traditional remedy in Southeast Asia. However, its combined consumption with other substances has received scarce attention. This study investigates the use of kratom among adults with a history of using heroin and methamphetamine in Malaysia. METHODS A total of 332 patients who were mandated to undergo drug rehabilitation participated in this cross-sectional study. The study data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS The majority were males (95%, n = 314/332) and Malays (98%, n = 325/332) with a mean age of 32.3 years (SD = 9.16). Over two thirds of the respondents used kratom to alleviate heroin withdrawal symptoms and to reduce methamphetamine intake; 59% used it as a substitute for heroin and methamphetamine. A similar proportion used kratom to reduce heroin intake (58%), while only 15% used it for its euphoric effects. Multivariate analysis showed that previous attendees of government rehabilitation programs had lower odds of using kratom as a heroin substitute. CONCLUSIONS The potential of kratom to alleviate heroin withdrawal symptoms, and to reduce methamphetamine and heroin intake, among people who co-use heroin and methamphetamine warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshan Singh
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia (DS, BV); School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia (SN); Department of Pharmacology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL(WCP); National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD (KES); Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, College Lane, Hatfield, United Kingdom (OC); Pinney Associates, Bethesda, MD and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (JEH); Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (OG)
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22
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Berthold EC, Kamble SH, Raju KS, Kuntz MA, Senetra AS, Mottinelli M, León F, Restrepo LF, Patel A, Ho NP, Hiranita T, Sharma A, McMahon LR, McCurdy CR. The Lack of Contribution of 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the Antinociceptive Effects of Mitragynine in Mice: A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:158-167. [PMID: 34759012 PMCID: PMC8969138 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a Southeast Asian tree, has been used for centuries in pain relief and mitigation of opium withdrawal symptoms. Mitragynine (MTG), the major kratom alkaloid, is being investigated for its potential to provide analgesia without the deleterious effects associated with typical opioids. Concerns have been raised regarding the active metabolite of MTG, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7HMG), which has higher affinity and efficacy at µ-opioid receptors than MTG. Here we investigated the hotplate antinociception, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution of MTG and 7HMG at equianalgesic oral doses in male and female C57BL/6 mice to determine the extent to which 7HMG metabolized from MTG accounts for the antinociceptive effects of MTG and investigate any sex differences. The mechanism of action was examined by performing studies with the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. A population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was developed to predict the behavioral effects after administration of various doses of MTG and 7HMG. When administered alone, 7HMG was 2.8-fold more potent than MTG to produce antinociception. At equivalent effective doses of MTG and 7HMG, there was a marked difference in the maximum brain concentration of 7HMG achieved, i.e., 11-fold lower as a metabolite of MTG. The brain concentration of 7HMG observed 4 hours post administration, producing an analgesic effect <10%, was still 1.5-fold higher than the maximum concentration of 7HMG as a metabolite of MTG. These results provide strong evidence that 7HMG has a negligible role in the antinociceptive effects of MTG in mice. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Mitragynine (MTG) is being investigated for its potential to aid in pain relief, opioid withdrawal syndrome, and opioid use disorder. The active metabolite of MTG, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7HMG), has been shown to have abuse potential and has been implicated in the opioid-like analgesic effect after MTG administration. The results of this study suggest a lack of involvement of 7HMG in the antinociceptive effects of MTG in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Berthold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Shyam H Kamble
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kanumuri S Raju
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michelle A Kuntz
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Alexandria S Senetra
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Marco Mottinelli
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Francisco León
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Luis F Restrepo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Avi Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Nicholas P Ho
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Takato Hiranita
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, (E.C.B., S.H.K., K.S.R., M.A.K., A.S.S., A.S., C.R.M.), Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (S.H.K., K.S.R., A.S., C.R.M.), Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (M.M., F.L., C.R.M.), and Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, USA (L.F.R., A.P., N.P.H., T.H., L.R.M.) University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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Henningfield JE, Wang DW, Huestis MA. Kratom Abuse Potential 2021: An Updated Eight Factor Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:775073. [PMID: 35197848 PMCID: PMC8860177 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs are regulated in the United States (US) by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) if assessment of their abuse potential, including public health risks, show such control is warranted. An evaluation via the 8 factors of the CSA provides the comprehensive assessment required for permanent listing of new chemical entities and previously uncontrolled substances. Such an assessment was published for two kratom alkaloids in 2018 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have identified as candidates for CSA listing: mitragynine (MG) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH-MG) (Henningfield et al., 2018a). That assessment concluded the abuse potential of MG was within the range of many other uncontrolled substances, that there was not evidence of an imminent risk to public health, and that a Schedule I listing (the only option for substances that are not FDA approved for therapeutic use such as kratom) carried public health risks including drug overdoses by people using kratom to abstain from opioids. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated abuse potential assessment reviewing greater than 100 studies published since January 1, 2018. These include studies of abuse potential and physical dependence/withdrawal in animals; in-vitro receptor binding; assessments of potential efficacy treating pain and substance use disorders; pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies with safety-related findings; clinical studies of long-term users with various physiological endpoints; and surveys of patterns and reasons for use and associated effects including dependence and withdrawal. Findings from these studies suggest that public health is better served by assuring continued access to kratom products by consumers and researchers. Currently, Kratom alkaloids and derivatives are in development as safer and/or more effective medicines for treating pain, substances use disorders, and mood disorders. Placing kratom in the CSA via scheduling would criminalize consumers and possession, seriously impede research, and can be predicted to have serious adverse public health consequences, including potentially thousands of drug overdose deaths. Therefore, CSA listing is not recommended. Regulation to minimize risks of contaminated, adulterated, and inappropriately marketed products is recommended.
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Smith MT, Kong D, Kuo A, Imam MZ, Williams CM. Analgesic Opioid Ligand Discovery Based on Nonmorphinan Scaffolds Derived from Natural Sources. J Med Chem 2022; 65:1612-1661. [PMID: 34995453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Strong opioid analgesics, including morphine, are the mainstays for treating moderate to severe acute pain and alleviating chronic cancer pain. However, opioid-related adverse effects, including nausea or vomiting, sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, pruritus (itch), analgesic tolerance, and addiction and abuse liability, are problematic. In addition, the use of opioids to relieve chronic noncancer pain is controversial due to the "opioid crisis" characterized by opioid misuse or abuse and escalating unintentional death rates due to respiratory depression. Hence, considerable research internationally has been aimed at the "Holy Grail" of the opioid analgesic field, namely the discovery of novel and safer opioid analgesics with improved opioid-related adverse effects. In this Perspective, medicinal chemistry strategies are addressed, where structurally diverse nonmorphinan-based opioid ligands derived from natural sources were deployed as lead molecules. The current state of play, clinical or experimental status, and novel opioid ligand discovery approaches are elaborated in the context of retaining analgesia with improved safety and reduced adverse effects, especially addiction liability.
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Mitragynine improves cognitive performance in morphine-withdrawn rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:313-325. [PMID: 34693456 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The treatment of opiate addiction is an unmet medical need. Repeated exposure to opiates disrupts cognitive performance. Opioid substitution therapy, with, e.g., methadone, may further exacerbate the cognitive deficits. Growing evidence suggests that mitragynine, the primary alkaloid from the Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves, may serve as a promising alternative therapy for opiate addiction. However, the knowledge of its health consequences is still limited. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine the cognitive effects of mitragynine substitution in morphine-withdrawn rats. Furthermore, we asked whether neuronal addiction markers like the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II alpha (αCaMKII) might mediate the observed effects. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given morphine at escalating doses before treatment was discontinued to induce a spontaneous morphine withdrawal. Then, vehicle or mitragynine (5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, or 30 mg/kg) substitution was given for 3 days. A vehicle-treated group was used as a control. Withdrawal signs were scored after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, while novel object recognition (NOR) and attentional set-shifting (ASST) were tested during the substitution period. RESULTS Discontinuation of morphine significantly induced morphine withdrawal signs and cognitive deficit in the ASST. The substitution with mitragynine was able to alleviate the withdrawal signs. Mitragynine did not affect the recognition memory in the NOR but significantly improved the reversal learning deficit in the morphine-withdrawn rats. CONCLUSIONS These data support the idea that mitragynine could be used as safe medication therapy to treat opiate addiction with beneficial effects on cognitive deficits.
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Respiratory effects of oral mitragynine and oxycodone in a rodent model. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3793-3804. [PMID: 36308562 PMCID: PMC9671979 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06244-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Kratom derives from Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.), a tropical tree in the genus Mitragyna (Rubiaceae) that also includes the coffee tree. Kratom leaf powders, tea-like decoctions, and commercial extracts are taken orally, primarily for health and well-being by millions of people globally. Others take kratom to eliminate opioid use for analgesia and manage opioid withdrawal and use disorder. There is debate over the possible respiratory depressant overdose risk of the primary active alkaloid, mitragynine, a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist, that does not signal through ß-arrestin, the primary opioid respiratory depressant pathway. OBJECTIVES Compare the respiratory effects of oral mitragynine to oral oxycodone in rats with the study design previously published by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists for evaluating the respiratory effects of opioids (Xu et al., Toxicol Rep 7:188-197, 2020). METHODS Blood gases, observable signs, and mitragynine pharmacokinetics were assessed for 12 h after 20, 40, 80, 240, and 400 mg/kg oral mitragynine isolate and 6.75, 60, and 150 mg/kg oral oxycodone hydrochloride. FINDINGS Oxycodone administration produced significant dose-related respiratory depressant effects and pronounced sedation with one death each at 60 and 150 mg/kg. Mitragynine did not yield significant dose-related respiratory depressant or life-threatening effects. Sedative-like effects, milder than produced by oxycodone, were evident at the highest mitragynine dose. Maximum oxycodone and mitragynine plasma concentrations were dose related. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with mitragynine's pharmacology that includes partial µ-opioid receptor agonism with little recruitment of the respiratory depressant activating β-arrestin pathway, mitragynine produced no evidence of respiratory depression at doses many times higher than known to be taken by humans.
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Harun N, Azzalia Kamaruzaman N, Mohamed Sofian Z, Hassan Z. Mini Review: Potential Therapeutic Values of Mitragynine as an Opioid Substitution Therapy. Neurosci Lett 2022; 773:136500. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Prevete E, Kuypers KPC, Theunissen EL, Corazza O, Bersani G, Ramaekers JG. A systematic review of (pre)clinical studies on the therapeutic potential and safety profile of kratom in humans. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:e2805. [PMID: 34309900 PMCID: PMC9285932 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant traditionally used as an ethnomedicinal remedy for several conditions in South East Asia. Despite the increased interest in its therapeutical benefits in Western countries, little scientific evidence is available to support such claims, and existing data remain limited to kratom's chronic consumption. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to investigate (pre)clinical evidence on the efficacy of kratom as a therapeutic aid and its safety profile in humans. METHODS A systematic literature search using PubMed and the Medline database was conducted between April and November 2020. RESULTS Both preclinical (N = 57) and clinical (N = 18) studies emerged from our search. Preclinical data indicated a therapeutic value in terms of acute/chronic pain (N = 23), morphine/ethanol withdrawal, and dependence (N = 14), among other medical conditions (N = 26). Clinical data included interventional studies (N = 2) reporting reduced pain sensitivity, and observational studies (N = 9) describing the association between kratom's chronic (daily/frequent) use and safety issues, in terms of health consequences (e.g., learning impairment, high cholesterol level, dependence/withdrawal). CONCLUSIONS Although the initial (pre)clinical evidence on kratom's therapeutic potential and its safety profile in humans is encouraging, further validation in large, controlled clinical trials is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Prevete
- Department of Neuropsychology and PsychopharmacologyFaculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Kim Paula Colette Kuypers
- Department of Neuropsychology and PsychopharmacologyFaculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Eef Lien Theunissen
- Department of Neuropsychology and PsychopharmacologyFaculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Department of Clinical, Pharmacological and Biological SciencesCollege LaneUniversity of HertfordshireHatfieldUnited Kingdom
- Department of Medico‐Surgical Sciences and BiotechnologiesFaculty of Pharmacy and MedicineSapienza University of RomeLatinaItaly
| | - Giuseppe Bersani
- Department of Medico‐Surgical Sciences and BiotechnologiesFaculty of Pharmacy and MedicineSapienza University of RomeLatinaItaly
| | - Johannes Gerardus Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and PsychopharmacologyFaculty of Psychology and NeuroscienceMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
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Hiranita T, Obeng S, Sharma A, Wilkerson JL, McCurdy CR, McMahon LR. In vitro and in vivo pharmacology of kratom. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 93:35-76. [PMID: 35341571 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Kratom products have been historically and anecdotally used in south Asian countries for centuries to manage pain and opioid withdrawal. The use of kratom products has dramatically increased in the United States. More than 45 kratom alkaloids have been isolated, yet the overall pharmacology of the individual alkaloids is still not well characterized. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize in vitro and in vivo opioid activities of the primary kratom alkaloid mitragynine and its more potent metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine. Following are experimental procedures described to characterize opioid receptor activity; receptor binding and functional assays, antinociceptive assays, operant conditioning assays, and respiratory plethysmography. The capacity of kratom alkaloids to confer tolerance and physical dependence as well as their pharmacokinetic properties are also summarized. The data reviewed here suggest that kratom products and mitragynine possess low efficacy agonist activity at the mu-opioid receptor in vivo. In addition, kratom products and mitragynine have been demonstrated to antagonize the effects of high efficacy mu-opioid agonists. The data further suggest that 7-hydroxymitragynine formed in vivo by metabolism of mitragynine may be minimally involved in the overall behavioral profile of mitragynine and kratom, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine itself, at sufficiently high doses administered exogenously, shares many of the same abuse- and dependence-related behavioral effects associated with traditional opioid agonists. The apparent low efficacy of kratom products and mitragynine at mu-opioid receptors supports the development of these ligands as effective and potentially safe medications for opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takato Hiranita
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Samuel Obeng
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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Chakraborty S, Uprety R, Slocum ST, Irie T, Le Rouzic V, Li X, Wilson LL, Scouller B, Alder AF, Kruegel AC, Ansonoff M, Varadi A, Eans SO, Hunkele A, Allaoa A, Kalra S, Xu J, Pan YX, Pintar J, Kivell BM, Pasternak GW, Cameron MD, McLaughlin JP, Sames D, Majumdar S. Oxidative Metabolism as a Modulator of Kratom's Biological Actions. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16553-16572. [PMID: 34783240 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a plant native to Southeast Asia, are increasingly used as a pain reliever and for attenuation of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Using the tools of natural products chemistry, chemical synthesis, and pharmacology, we provide a detailed in vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of the alkaloids in kratom. We report that metabolism of kratom's major alkaloid, mitragynine, in mice leads to formation of (a) a potent mu opioid receptor agonist antinociceptive agent, 7-hydroxymitragynine, through a CYP3A-mediated pathway, which exhibits reinforcing properties, inhibition of gastrointestinal (GI) transit and reduced hyperlocomotion, (b) a multifunctional mu agonist/delta-kappa antagonist, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, through a CYP3A-mediated skeletal rearrangement, displaying reduced hyperlocomotion, inhibition of GI transit and reinforcing properties, and (c) a potentially toxic metabolite, 3-dehydromitragynine, through a non-CYP oxidation pathway. Our results indicate that the oxidative metabolism of the mitragynine template beyond 7-hydroxymitragynine may have implications in its overall pharmacology in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Samuel T Slocum
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Takeshi Irie
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Valerie Le Rouzic
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Xiaohai Li
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Lisa L Wilson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Brittany Scouller
- Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Science, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Amy F Alder
- Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Science, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Andrew C Kruegel
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York 10027, United States
| | - Michael Ansonoff
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8021, United States
| | - Andras Varadi
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Shainnel O Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Abdullah Allaoa
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Ying Xian Pan
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - John Pintar
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8021, United States
| | - Bronwyn M Kivell
- Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Science, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Gavril W Pasternak
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, United States
| | - Michael D Cameron
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Dalibor Sames
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York 10027, United States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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Gutridge AM, Chakraborty S, Varga BR, Rhoda ES, French AR, Blaine AT, Royer QH, Cui H, Yuan J, Cassell RJ, Szabó M, Majumdar S, van Rijn RM. Evaluation of Kratom Opioid Derivatives as Potential Treatment Option for Alcohol Use Disorder. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:764885. [PMID: 34803709 PMCID: PMC8596301 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.764885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose:Mitragyna speciosa extract and kratom alkaloids decrease alcohol consumption in mice at least in part through actions at the δ-opioid receptor (δOR). However, the most potent opioidergic kratom alkaloid, 7-hydroxymitragynine, exhibits rewarding properties and hyperlocomotion presumably due to preferred affinity for the mu opioid receptor (µOR). We hypothesized that opioidergic kratom alkaloids like paynantheine and speciogynine with reduced µOR potency could provide a starting point for developing opioids with an improved therapeutic window to treat alcohol use disorder. Experimental Approach: We characterized paynantheine, speciociliatine, and four novel kratom-derived analogs for their ability to bind and activate δOR, µOR, and κOR. Select opioids were assessed in behavioral assays in male C57BL/6N WT and δOR knockout mice. Key Results: Paynantheine (10 mg∙kg−1, i.p.) produced aversion in a limited conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm but did not produce CPP with additional conditioning sessions. Paynantheine did not produce robust antinociception but did block morphine-induced antinociception and hyperlocomotion. Yet, at 10 and 30 mg∙kg−1 doses (i.p.), paynantheine did not counteract morphine CPP. 7-hydroxypaynantheine and 7-hydroxyspeciogynine displayed potency at δOR but limited µOR potency relative to 7-hydroxymitragynine in vitro, and dose-dependently decreased voluntary alcohol consumption in WT but not δOR in KO mice. 7-hydroxyspeciogynine has a maximally tolerated dose of at least 10 mg∙kg−1 (s.c.) at which it did not produce significant CPP neither alter general locomotion nor induce noticeable seizures. Conclusion and Implications: Derivatizing kratom alkaloids with the goal of enhancing δOR potency and reducing off-target effects could provide a pathway to develop novel lead compounds to treat alcohol use disorder with an improved therapeutic window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Gutridge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Heath Sciences and Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Balazs R Varga
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Heath Sciences and Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Elizabeth S Rhoda
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Alexander R French
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Arryn T Blaine
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Quinten H Royer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Haoyue Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jinling Yuan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Robert J Cassell
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Heath Sciences and Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Richard M van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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32
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Chakraborty S, DiBerto JF, Faouzi A, Bernhard SM, Gutridge AM, Ramsey S, Zhou Y, Provasi D, Nuthikattu N, Jilakara R, Nelson MNF, Asher WB, Eans SO, Wilson LL, Chintala SM, Filizola M, van Rijn RM, Margolis EB, Roth BL, McLaughlin JP, Che T, Sames D, Javitch JA, Majumdar S. A Novel Mitragynine Analog with Low-Efficacy Mu Opioid Receptor Agonism Displays Antinociception with Attenuated Adverse Effects. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13873-13892. [PMID: 34505767 PMCID: PMC8530377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) are the major alkaloids mediating the biological actions of the psychoactive plant kratom. To investigate the structure-activity relationships of mitragynine/7OH templates, we diversified the aromatic ring of the indole at the C9, C10, and C12 positions and investigated their G-protein and arrestin signaling mediated by mu opioid receptors (MOR). Three synthesized lead C9 analogs replacing the 9-OCH3 group with phenyl (4), methyl (5), or 3'-furanyl [6 (SC13)] substituents demonstrated partial agonism with a lower efficacy than DAMGO or morphine in heterologous G-protein assays and synaptic physiology. In assays limiting MOR reserve, the G-protein efficacy of all three was comparable to buprenorphine. 6 (SC13) showed MOR-dependent analgesia with potency similar to morphine without respiratory depression, hyperlocomotion, constipation, or place conditioning in mice. These results suggest the possibility of activating MOR minimally (G-protein Emax ≈ 10%) in cell lines while yet attaining maximal antinociception in vivo with reduced opioid liabilities.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics, Opioid/metabolism
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- Molecular Structure
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects
- Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/chemical synthesis
- Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/metabolism
- Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/pharmacology
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Mice
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States
| | - Jeffrey F. DiBerto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United
States
| | - Abdelfattah Faouzi
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States
| | - Sarah M. Bernhard
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States
| | - Anna M. Gutridge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology,
College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907,
United States
| | - Steven Ramsey
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yuchen Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Davide Provasi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Nitin Nuthikattu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States
| | - Rahul Jilakara
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States
| | - Melissa N. F. Nelson
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Pharmacology and
Therapeutics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric
Institute, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Wesley B. Asher
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Pharmacology and
Therapeutics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric
Institute, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Shainnel O. Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Lisa L. Wilson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Satyanarayana M. Chintala
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of
Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Marta Filizola
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine
at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Richard M. van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology,
College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907,
United States
| | - Elyssa B. Margolis
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences,
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158,
United States
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United
States
| | - Jay P. McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Tao Che
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United
States
| | - Dalibor Sames
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York 10027,
United States
| | - Jonathan A. Javitch
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Pharmacology and
Therapeutics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric
Institute, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences
& Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine,
St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United
States
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33
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Smith KE, Rogers JM, Schriefer D, Grundmann O. Therapeutic benefit with caveats?: Analyzing social media data to understand the complexities of kratom use. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108879. [PMID: 34216869 PMCID: PMC8355181 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitragyna speciosa, referred to as "kratom", is increasingly used in the United States for self-treating pain, psychiatric, and substance use disorder symptoms. It is used by some to attenuate opioid withdrawal and as a longer-term drug substitute. Most self-report data have come from online surveys, small in-person surveys, and case reports. These may not be representative of the broader kratom-using population. PURPOSE Analyze user-generated social media posts to determine if independent, descriptive accounts are generally consistent with prior U.S. kratom survey findings and gain a more nuanced understanding of kratom use patterns. METHODS Reddit posts mentioning kratom from 42 subreddits between June 2019-July 2020 were coded by two independent raters. FINDINGS Relevant posts (number of comments, upvotes, and downvotes) from 1274 posts comprised the final sample (n = 280). Of the 1521 codes applied, 1273 (83.69%) were concordant. Desirable kratom effects were described among a majority, but so too were adverse effects. Reports of kratom as acute self-treatment for opioid withdrawal were more prominent compared to longer-term opioid substitution. Quantitative analysis found higher kratom doses associated (p < .001) with greater odds of reported kratom addiction (OR = 3.56) or withdrawal (OR = 5.88), with slightly lower odds of desirable effects (OR = 0.53, p = .014). Despite perceived therapeutic benefits, kratom was characterized by some in terms of addiction that, in some cases, appeared dose-dependent. Polydrug use was also prominently discussed. CONCLUSIONS Results validated many prior survey findings while illustrating complexities of kratom use that are not being fully captured and require continued investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E Smith
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Jeffrey M Rogers
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Destiny Schriefer
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Oliver Grundmann
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
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34
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Chakraborty S, Uprety R, Daibani AE, Rouzic VL, Hunkele A, Appourchaux K, Eans SO, Nuthikattu N, Jilakara R, Thammavong L, Pasternak GW, Pan YX, McLaughlin JP, Che T, Majumdar S. Kratom Alkaloids as Probes for Opioid Receptor Function: Pharmacological Characterization of Minor Indole and Oxindole Alkaloids from Kratom. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2661-2678. [PMID: 34213886 PMCID: PMC8328003 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry leaves of kratom (mitragyna speciosa) are anecdotally consumed as pain relievers and antidotes against opioid withdrawal and alcohol use disorders. There are at least 54 alkaloids in kratom; however, investigations to date have focused around mitragynine, 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7OH), and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP). Herein, we probe a few minor indole and oxindole based alkaloids, reporting the receptor affinity, G-protein activity, and βarrestin-2 signaling of corynantheidine, corynoxine, corynoxine B, mitraciliatine, and isopaynantheine at mouse and human opioid receptors. We identify corynantheidine as a mu opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonist, whereas its oxindole derivative corynoxine was an MOR full agonist. Similarly, another alkaloid mitraciliatine was found to be an MOR partial agonist, while isopaynantheine was a KOR agonist which showed reduced βarrestin-2 recruitment. Corynantheidine, corynoxine, and mitraciliatine showed MOR dependent antinociception in mice, but mitraciliatine and corynoxine displayed attenuated respiratory depression and hyperlocomotion compared to the prototypic MOR agonist morphine in vivo when administered supraspinally. Isopaynantheine on the other hand was identified as the first kratom derived KOR agonist in vivo. While these minor alkaloids are unlikely to play the majority role in the biological actions of kratom, they represent excellent starting points for further diversification as well as distinct efficacy and signaling profiles with which to probe opioid actions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Amal E Daibani
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Valerie L Rouzic
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Kevin Appourchaux
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Shainnel O Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Nitin Nuthikattu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Rahul Jilakara
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Lisa Thammavong
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Gavril W Pasternak
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Ying-Xian Pan
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 032610, United States
| | - Tao Che
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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35
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Bhowmik S, Galeta J, Havel V, Nelson M, Faouzi A, Bechand B, Ansonoff M, Fiala T, Hunkele A, Kruegel AC, Pintar JE, Majumdar S, Javitch JA, Sames D. Site selective C-H functionalization of Mitragyna alkaloids reveals a molecular switch for tuning opioid receptor signaling efficacy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3858. [PMID: 34158473 PMCID: PMC8219695 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23736-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitragynine (MG) is the most abundant alkaloid component of the psychoactive plant material "kratom", which according to numerous anecdotal reports shows efficacy in self-medication for pain syndromes, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. We have developed a synthetic method for selective functionalization of the unexplored C11 position of the MG scaffold (C6 position in indole numbering) via the use of an indole-ethylene glycol adduct and subsequent iridium-catalyzed borylation. Through this work we discover that C11 represents a key locant for fine-tuning opioid receptor signaling efficacy. 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7OH), the parent compound with low efficacy on par with buprenorphine, is transformed to an even lower efficacy agonist by introducing a fluorine substituent in this position (11-F-7OH), as demonstrated in vitro at both mouse and human mu opioid receptors (mMOR/hMOR) and in vivo in mouse analgesia tests. Low efficacy opioid agonists are of high interest as candidates for generating safer opioid medications with mitigated adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srijita Bhowmik
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juraj Galeta
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague), 160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Havel
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Nelson
- Department of Psychiatry, and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abdelfattah Faouzi
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92161, USA
| | | | - Mike Ansonoff
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University, New Jersey, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Tomas Fiala
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | | | - John E Pintar
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University, New Jersey, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Department of Psychiatry, and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dalibor Sames
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- NeuroTechnology Center at Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- The Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute at Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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36
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Kratom pharmacology: Clues from planarians exposed to mitragynine. Physiol Behav 2021; 239:113499. [PMID: 34146575 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitragynine (MG), the most prevalent bioactive alkaloid in kratom, displays nanomolar affinity for µ, κ and δ opioid receptors and produces opioid-dependent antinociception and dependence in rats. Here, using a battery of behavioral assays, we investigated MG effects in planarians. Acute MG exposure (< 100 μM) did not affect planarian motility or environmental preference, but reduced motility was detected during abstinence from chronic MG (1, 10 μM). MG (10 μM) produced place conditioning effects that were reduced by naltrexone (10 μΜ). These results suggest that MG produces opioid-sensitive reinforcing effects in planarians and MG pharmacology is conserved across different species.
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37
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Chakraborty S, Majumdar S. Natural Products for the Treatment of Pain: Chemistry and Pharmacology of Salvinorin A, Mitragynine, and Collybolide. Biochemistry 2021; 60:1381-1400. [PMID: 32930582 PMCID: PMC7982354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pain remains a very pervasive problem throughout medicine. Classical pain management is achieved through the use of opiates belonging to the mu opioid receptor (MOR) class, which have significant side effects that hinder their utility. Pharmacologists have been trying to develop opioids devoid of side effects since the isolation of morphine from papaver somniferum, more commonly known as opium by Sertürner in 1804. The natural products salvinorin A, mitragynine, and collybolide represent three nonmorphinan natural product-based targets, which are potent selective agonists of opioid receptors, and emerging next-generation analgesics. In this work, we review the phytochemistry and medicinal chemistry efforts on these templates and their effects on affinity, selectivity, analgesic actions, and a myriad of other opioid-receptor-related behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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38
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Kudla L, Przewlocki R. Influence of G protein-biased agonists of μ-opioid receptor on addiction-related behaviors. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:1033-1051. [PMID: 33835467 PMCID: PMC8413226 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Opioid analgesics remain a gold standard for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, their clinical utility is seriously limited by a range of adverse effects. Among them, their high-addictive potential appears as very important, especially in the context of the opioid epidemic. Therefore, the development of safer opioid analgesics with low abuse potential appears as a challenging problem for opioid research. Among the last few decades, different approaches to the discovery of novel opioid drugs have been assessed. One of the most promising is the development of G protein-biased opioid agonists, which can activate only selected intracellular signaling pathways. To date, discoveries of several biased agonists acting via μ-opioid receptor were reported. According to the experimental data, such ligands may be devoid of at least some of the opioid side effects, such as respiratory depression or constipation. Nevertheless, most data regarding the addictive properties of biased μ-opioid receptor agonists are inconsistent. A global problem connected with opioid abuse also requires the search for effective pharmacotherapy for opioid addiction, which is another potential application of biased compounds. This review discusses the state-of-the-art on addictive properties of G protein-biased μ-opioid receptor agonists as well as we analyze whether these compounds can diminish any symptoms of opioid addiction. Finally, we provide a critical view on recent data connected with biased signaling and its implications to in vivo manifestations of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucja Kudla
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Smetna 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewlocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Smetna 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
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39
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Domnic G, Narayanan S, Mohana-Kumaran N, Singh D. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) an overlooked medicinal plant in Malaysia. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2021.1885515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Domnic
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Narayanan
- School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Darshan Singh
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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40
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Uprety R, Che T, Zaidi SA, Grinnell SG, Varga BR, Faouzi A, Slocum ST, Allaoa A, Varadi A, Nelson M, Bernhard SM, Kulko E, Le Rouzic V, Eans SO, Simons CA, Hunkele A, Subrath J, Pan YX, Javitch JA, McLaughlin JP, Roth BL, Pasternak GW, Katritch V, Majumdar S. Controlling opioid receptor functional selectivity by targeting distinct subpockets of the orthosteric site. eLife 2021; 10:e56519. [PMID: 33555255 PMCID: PMC7909954 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlling receptor functional selectivity profiles for opioid receptors is a promising approach for discovering safer analgesics; however, the structural determinants conferring functional selectivity are not well understood. Here, we used crystal structures of opioid receptors, including the recently solved active state kappa opioid complex with MP1104, to rationally design novel mixed mu (MOR) and kappa (KOR) opioid receptor agonists with reduced arrestin signaling. Analysis of structure-activity relationships for new MP1104 analogs points to a region between transmembrane 5 (TM5) and extracellular loop (ECL2) as key for modulation of arrestin recruitment to both MOR and KOR. The lead compounds, MP1207 and MP1208, displayed MOR/KOR Gi-partial agonism with diminished arrestin signaling, showed efficient analgesia with attenuated liabilities, including respiratory depression and conditioned place preference and aversion in mice. The findings validate a novel structure-inspired paradigm for achieving beneficial in vivo profiles for analgesia through different mechanisms that include bias, partial agonism, and dual MOR/KOR agonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Uprety
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Tao Che
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Saheem A Zaidi
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Department of Chemistry, Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Steven G Grinnell
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Balázs R Varga
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Abdelfattah Faouzi
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Samuel T Slocum
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Abdullah Allaoa
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - András Varadi
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Melissa Nelson
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Sarah M Bernhard
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Elizaveta Kulko
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Valerie Le Rouzic
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Shainnel O Eans
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Chloe A Simons
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Amanda Hunkele
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Joan Subrath
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Ying Xian Pan
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, New JerseyNewarkUnited States
| | - Jonathan A Javitch
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & SurgeonsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Gavril W Pasternak
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Department of Chemistry, Bridge Institute, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Department of Neurology and Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
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Obeng S, Wilkerson JL, León F, Reeves ME, Restrepo LF, Gamez-Jimenez LR, Patel A, Pennington AE, Taylor VA, Ho NP, Braun T, Fortner JD, Crowley ML, Williamson MR, Pallares VLC, Mottinelli M, Lopera-Londoño C, McCurdy CR, McMahon LR, Hiranita T. Pharmacological Comparison of Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine: In Vitro Affinity and Efficacy for μ-Opioid Receptor and Opioid-Like Behavioral Effects in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 376:410-427. [PMID: 33384303 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.000189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Relationships between µ-opioid receptor (MOR) efficacy and effects of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are not fully established. We assessed in vitro binding affinity and efficacy and discriminative stimulus effects together with antinociception in rats. The binding affinities of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine at MOR (Ki values 77.9 and 709 nM, respectively) were higher than their binding affinities at κ-opioid receptor (KOR) or δ-opioid receptor (DOR). [35S]guanosine 5'-O-[γ-thio]triphosphate stimulation at MOR demonstrated that mitragynine was an antagonist, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine was a partial agonist (Emax = 41.3%). In separate groups of rats discriminating either morphine (3.2 mg/kg) or mitragynine (32 mg/kg), mitragynine produced a maximum of 72.3% morphine-lever responding, and morphine produced a maximum of 65.4% mitragynine-lever responding. Other MOR agonists produced high percentages of drug-lever responding in the morphine and mitragynine discrimination assays: 7-hydroxymitragynine (99.7% and 98.1%, respectively), fentanyl (99.7% and 80.1%, respectively), buprenorphine (99.8% and 79.4%, respectively), and nalbuphine (99.4% and 98.3%, respectively). In the morphine and mitragynine discrimination assays, the KOR agonist U69,593 produced maximums of 72.3% and 22.3%, respectively, and the DOR agonist SNC 80 produced maximums of 34.3% and 23.0%, respectively. 7-Hydroxymitragynine produced antinociception; mitragynine did not. Naltrexone antagonized all of the effects of morphine and 7-hydroxymitragynine; naltrexone antagonized the discriminative stimulus effects of mitragynine but not its rate-decreasing effects. Mitragynine increased the potency of the morphine discrimination yet decreased morphine antinociception. Here we illustrate striking differences in MOR efficacy, with mitragynine having less than 7-hydroxymitragynine. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: At human µ-opioid receptor (MOR) in vitro, mitragynine has low affinity and is an antagonist, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine has 9-fold higher affinity than mitragynine and is an MOR partial agonist. In rats, intraperitoneal mitragynine exhibits a complex pharmacology including MOR agonism; 7-hydroxymitragynine has higher MOR potency and efficacy than mitragynine. These results are consistent with 7-hydroxymitragynine being a highly selective MOR agonist and with mitragynine having a complex pharmacology that combines low efficacy MOR agonism with activity at nonopioid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Obeng
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Francisco León
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Morgan E Reeves
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Luis F Restrepo
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lea R Gamez-Jimenez
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Avi Patel
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Anna E Pennington
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Victoria A Taylor
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Nicholas P Ho
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tobias Braun
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - John D Fortner
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Morgan L Crowley
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Morgan R Williamson
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Victoria L C Pallares
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Marco Mottinelli
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Carolina Lopera-Londoño
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Takato Hiranita
- Departments of Pharmacodynamics (S.O., J.L.W., M.E.R., L.F.R., L.R.G.-J., A.P., A.E.P., V.A.T., N.P.H., T.B., M.R.W., V.L.C.P., L.R.M., T.H.) and Medicinal Chemistry (S.O., F.L., J.D.F., M.L.C., M.M., C.L.-L., C.R.M.), and Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institutes (C.R.M.), College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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Zhang M, Sharma A, León F, Avery B, Kjelgren R, McCurdy CR, Pearson BJ. Effects of Nutrient Fertility on Growth and Alkaloidal Content in Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:597696. [PMID: 33408731 PMCID: PMC7779599 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.597696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Leaves harvested from the Southeast Asian tree Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) have a history of use as a traditional ethnobotanical source of medicine to combat fatigue, improve work productivity, and to reduce opioid-related withdrawal symptoms. Kratom leaves contain an array of alkaloids thought to be responsible for the bioactivity reported by users. Interest in the consumptive effects of kratom has led to its recent popularity and use in North America, Western Europe, and Australia. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of select kratom alkaloids are understood, studies have not examined the influence of production environment on growth and alkaloidal content. To directly address this need, 68 kratom trees were vegetatively propagated from a single mother stock to reduce genetic variability and subjected to four varying fertilizer application rates. Leaves were analyzed for chlorophyll concentration, biomass, and alkaloidal content to understand the physiological response of the plant. While increasing rates of fertilizer promoted greater plant growth, relationships with alkaloidal content within leaves were highly variable. Fertility rate had little influence on the concentration of mitragynine, paynantheine, speciociliatine, mitraphylline, and corynoxine per leaf dry mass. 7-Hydroxymitragynine was below the lower limit of quantification in all the analyzed leaf samples. Low to medium rates of fertilizer, however, maximized concentrations of speciogynine, corynantheidine, and isocorynantheidine per leaf dry mass, suggesting a promotion of nitrogen allocation for secondary metabolism occurred for these select alkaloids. Strong correlations (r 2 = 0.86) between extracted leaf chlorophyll and rapid, non-destructive chlorophyll evaluation (SPAD) response allowed for development of a reliable linear model that can be used to diagnose nutrient deficiencies and allow for timely adjustment of fertilization programs to more accurately manage kratom cultivation efforts. Results from this study provide a greater understanding of the concentration and synthesis of nine bioactive alkaloids in fresh kratom leaves and provide foundational information for kratom cultivation and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzi Zhang
- Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, United States
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Francisco León
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Bonnie Avery
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Roger Kjelgren
- Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, United States
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Brian J. Pearson
- Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, United States
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43
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Sharma A, McCurdy CR. Assessing the therapeutic potential and toxicity of Mitragyna speciosa in opioid use disorder. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2020; 17:255-257. [PMID: 33213215 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2021.1853706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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44
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Japarin RA, Yusoff NH, Hassan Z, Müller CP, Harun N. Cross-reinstatement of mitragynine and morphine place preference in rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 399:113021. [PMID: 33227244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Kratom is a medicinal plant that exhibits promising results as an opiate substitute. However, there is little information regarding the abuse profile of its main psychoactive constituent, mitragynine (MG), particularly in relapse to drug abuse. Using the place conditioning procedure as a model of relapse, this study aims to evaluate the ability of MG to induce conditioned place preference (CPP) reinstatement in rats. To evaluate the cross-reinstatement effects, MG and morphine were injected to rats that previously extinguished a morphine- or MG-induced CPP. Following a CPP acquisition induced by either MG (10 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) or morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), rats were subjected to repeated CPP extinction sessions. A low dose priming injection of MG or morphine produced a reinstatement of the previously extinguished CPP. In the second experiment of this study, a priming injection of morphine (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reinstated an MG-induced CPP. Likewise, a priming injection of MG (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) was able to dose-dependently reinstate a morphine-induced CPP. The present study demonstrates a cross-reinstatement effect between MG and morphine, thereby suggesting a similar interaction in their rewarding motivational properties. The findings from this study also suggesting that a priming exposure to kratom and an opioid may cause relapse for a previously abused drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Atria Japarin
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Hasnida Yusoff
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Zurina Hassan
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Christian P Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Norsyifa Harun
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia.
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45
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Singh D, Narayanan S, Abdullah MFIL, Vicknasingam B. Effects of kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) in reducing risk-behaviors among a small sample of HIV positive opiate users in Malaysia. J Ethn Subst Abuse 2020; 21:1-11. [PMID: 33190622 DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2020.1845899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Out-of-treatment HIV positive opiate users often engage in risky injecting and sexual behaviors. We sought the self-reported experiences on whether or not kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) use was associated with a reduction in HIV risk behaviors among them. A convenience sample consisting of thirty-two HIV positive opiate users participated in the study. Of this, three-fifths (n = 20/32) used kratom to suppress opiate withdrawal, increase energy, as a heroin substitute, to reduce heroin dependence and self-treat psychological problems. More than one-third (38%) in the sample claimed that kratom use reduced their risky injecting and sexual behaviors. Given the small sample size, the perceived association between kratom use and the reduction in HIV risk behaviors could not be established more convincingly. However, the findings provide the basis for a broader-based study to evaluate the potential of kratom in curtailing HIV risk behaviors among HIV positive opiate users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshan Singh
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Narayanan
- School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
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46
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Maxwell EA, King TI, Kamble SH, Raju KSR, Berthold EC, León F, Avery BA, McMahon LR, McCurdy CR, Sharma A. Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Mitragynine in Beagle Dogs. PLANTA MEDICA 2020; 86:1278-1285. [PMID: 32693425 PMCID: PMC7907416 DOI: 10.1055/a-1212-5475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Mitragynine is the most abundant psychoactive alkaloid derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tropical plant indigenous to regions of Southeast Asia. Mitragynine displays a moderate affinity to opioid receptors, and kratom is often self-prescribed to treat pain and/or opioid addiction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of mitragynine in the dog. Single dose oral (5 mg/kg) and intravenous (0.1 mg/kg) pharmacokinetic studies of mitragynine were performed in female beagle dogs. The plasma concentrations of mitragynine were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer, and the pharmacokinetic properties were analyzed using non-compartmental analysis. Following intravenous administration, mitragynine showed a large volume of distribution (Vd, 6.3 ± 0.6 L/kg) and high clearance (Cl, 1.8 ± 0.4 L/h/kg). Following oral mitragynine dosing, first peak plasma (Cmax, 278.0 ± 47.4 ng/mL) concentrations were observed within 0.5 h. A potent mu-opioid receptor agonist and active metabolite of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, was also observed with a Cmax of 31.5 ± 3.3 ng/mL and a Tmax of 1.7 ± 0.6 h in orally dosed dogs while its plasma concentrations were below the lower limit of quantification (1 ng/mL) for the intravenous study. The absolute oral bioavailability of mitragynine was 69.6%. Administration of mitragynine was well tolerated, although mild sedation and anxiolytic effects were observed. These results provide the first detailed pharmacokinetic information for mitragynine in a non-rodent species (the dog) and therefore also provide significant information for allometric scaling and dose predictions when designing clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Maxwell
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tamara I. King
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shyam H. Kamble
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kanumuri Siva Rama Raju
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Erin C. Berthold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Francisco León
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bonnie A. Avery
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lance R. McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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47
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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48
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Behnood-Rod A, Chellian R, Wilson R, Hiranita T, Sharma A, Leon F, McCurdy CR, McMahon LR, Bruijnzeel AW. Evaluation of the rewarding effects of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in an intracranial self-stimulation procedure in male and female rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 215:108235. [PMID: 32889450 PMCID: PMC7542979 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) has been used in Southeast Asia for hundreds of years to increase energy, for relaxation, and to diminish opioid withdrawal. Kratom use has recently spread to Western countries. Kratom could potentially be used for the treatment of opioid withdrawal and pain, but more insight is needed into its abuse potential. Therefore, we investigated the rewarding properties of the primary kratom alkaloid mitragynine and its active metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine, and morphine as a reference drug in male and female rats. These compounds have agonist activity at mu-opioid receptors. METHODS The compounds were tested in an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure, which allows for the evaluation of the rewarding/aversive and sedative effects of drugs. Rewarding doses of drugs decrease the brain reward thresholds, and aversive drug doses have the opposite effect. RESULTS Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and morphine affected the brain reward thresholds. A high dose of 7-hydroxymitragynine (3.2 mg/kg) increased the brain reward thresholds, whereas an intermediate dose of morphine (10 mg/kg) decreased the reward thresholds. 7-Hydroxymitragynine and morphine affected the response latencies. Five mg/kg of morphine increased response latencies. 7-Hydroxymitragynine tended to increase the response latencies, but the post hoc analyses did not reveal a significant effect. There were no sex differences in the effects of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and morphine on the reward thresholds and the response latencies. CONCLUSIONS These initial findings indicate that mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are not rewarding in the ICSS procedure. The present results suggest that these kratom alkaloids do not have abuse potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azin Behnood-Rod
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Ryann Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Takato Hiranita
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA,Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Francisco Leon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lance R. McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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49
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Kamble SH, León F, King TI, Berthold EC, Lopera-Londoño C, Siva Rama Raju K, Hampson AJ, Sharma A, Avery BA, McMahon LR, McCurdy CR. Metabolism of a Kratom Alkaloid Metabolite in Human Plasma Increases Its Opioid Potency and Efficacy. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1063-1068. [PMID: 33344889 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Kratom is widely consumed in the United States for self-treatment of pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Mitragynine is the most abundant alkaloid in kratom and is a μ-opioid receptor agonist. 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) is a mitragynine metabolite that is a more potent and efficacious opioid than its parent mitragynine. 7-HMG contributes to mitragynine's antinociceptive effects in mice, but evidence suggests it may also have a higher abuse potential. This in vitro study demonstrates that 7-HMG is stable in rodent and monkey plasma but is unstable in human plasma. Surprisingly, in human plasma 7-HMG is converted to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, an opioid that is even more potent than either mitragynine or 7-HMG. This novel metabolite is formed in human plasma to a much greater extent than in the preclinical species tested (mouse, rat, dog, and cynomolgus monkey) and due to its μ-opioid potency may substantially contribute to the pharmacology of kratom in humans to a greater extent than in other tested species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam H Kamble
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Francisco León
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Tamara I King
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Erin C Berthold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Carolina Lopera-Londoño
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Kanumuri Siva Rama Raju
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Aidan J Hampson
- Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Bonnie A Avery
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-7011, United States
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50
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Thériault RK, Manduca JD, Blight CR, Khokhar JY, Akhtar TA, Perreault ML. Acute mitragynine administration suppresses cortical oscillatory power and systems theta coherence in rats. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:759-770. [PMID: 32248751 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120914223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitragynine is the major alkaloid of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) with potential as a therapeutic in pain management and in depression. There has been debate over the potential side effects of the drug including addiction risk and cognitive decline. AIMS To evaluate the effects of mitragynine on neurophysiological systems function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), cingulate cortex (Cg), orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens (NAc), hippocampus (HIP), thalamus (THAL), basolateral amygdala (BLA) and ventral tegmental area of rats. METHODS Local field potential recordings were taken from animals at baseline and for 45 min following mitragynine administration (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Drug-induced changes in spectral power and coherence between regions at specific frequencies were evaluated. Mitragynine-induced changes in c-fos expression were also analyzed. RESULTS Mitragynine increased delta power and reduced theta power in all three cortical regions that were accompanied by increased c-fos expression. A transient suppression of gamma power in PFC and Cg was also evident. There were no effects of mitragynine on spectral power in any of the other regions. Mitragynine induced a widespread reduction in theta coherence (7-9 Hz) that involved disruptions in cortical and NAc connectivity with the BLA, HIP and THAL. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that mitragynine induces frequency-specific changes in cortical neural oscillatory activity that could potentially impact cognitive functioning. However, the absence of drug effects within regions of the mesolimbic pathway may suggest either a lack of addiction potential, or an underlying mechanism of addiction that is distinct from other opioid analgesic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua D Manduca
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colin R Blight
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jibran Y Khokhar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada RKT, JYK and MLP are part of the Collaborative Neuroscience Program
| | - Tariq A Akhtar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melissa L Perreault
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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