Isolation and characterisation of several kratom alkaloids for subsequent HPLC-MS analysis of commercial products

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa tree) has been traditionally used in Asia and Indochina to alleviate pain, reduce fatigue, or induce better mood. It contains more than 40 different bioactive alkaloids, with the major alkaloid mitragynine and its metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine binding to opioid, serotonin and dopamine receptors. Due to its attractive neuroactive effects, in recent years, there has been increased interest in introducing new kratom products to western markets with regulatory uncertainty. Therefore, knowledge of the products composition, their possible contamination and their active substances profile, is important. Different kratom species have been observed to have varying effects, despite containing almost identical amounts of major alkaloids. This suggests that minor alkaloids may be responsible for the different effects. Consequently, it is crucial to investigate the alkaloid profile of the kratom products. However, analytical standards for many of these minor alkaloids are not easily available. The aim of this study was to design and optimise a method for the isolation of alkaloids from the dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. In this work, we successfully isolated mitragynine and several other minor alkaloids. After purification and characterisation of the obtained substances, we used them as analytical standards for HPLC-MS qualitative and quantitative analysis of the alkaloid profile in the kratom products available on the Czech market. The results will be further used to investigate the dependence of the alkaloid profile and biological effect.

 

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Conflict of Interest

There authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023