Mitragyna speciosa
What's the taxonomical classification of Mitragyna speciosa?
Mitragyna speciosa belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the taxonomic lineage of the order Gentianaales. It is a prominent representative of the family Rubiaceae, falling under the genus Mitragyna, with the specific designation of the species speciosa.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Genus | Mitragyna |
| Species | speciosa |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Mitragyna speciosa has a woody, perennial structure characterized by a large tree habit reaching heights of up to 15 meters with an erect trunk and a spreading canopy. The leaves are arranged in an opposite pattern and possess an elliptical or oblong shape with distinct pinnate venation. These leaves are typically dark green, glossy, and can grow up to 30 centimeters in length. Small, white, fragrant flowers are produced in dense, globular clusters known as cymes at the ends of the branches. The fruit consists of a fleshy, globose capsule that eventually splits to release numerous small seeds.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically concentrated within Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Vietnam. It thrives in the humid, lowland environments typically found in rainforest ecosystems. The species prefers areas with consistent rainfall and warm temperatures characteristic of equatorial climates. While its primary range is restricted to these specific Southeast Asian countries, it is also found growing in certain parts of the Philippines. Due to its specific environmental requirements, its natural distribution remains tied to these tropical latitudes.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Mitragyna speciosa requires a tropical climate with high humidity, consistent rainfall, and well-draining acidic soil to thrive.
Growers typically cultivate these trees in lowland areas where temperatures remain warm throughout the entire year. Seedlings must be carefully nurtured in shaded environments before being transplanted into open fields to ensure strong root development. Once established, the trees can grow to significant heights and require minimal intervention beyond maintaining soil moisture.
Proper spacing between trees is essential to allow for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration during the maturation process.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Mitragyna speciosa provides medicinal benefits through its leaves, roots, stems, fruits, and stipules. The leaves are the most widely utilized part, often prepared as teas or extracts for their diverse therapeutic properties. Roots are sometimes harvested to create decoctions that target specific physiological ailments. The stem and stipules also contribute to the plant's chemical profile and are used in various traditional formulations. Additionally, the fruits can be incorporated into certain medicinal preparations depending on the specific healing application required.
According to a study published by "Subsbanace abuse and rehabilitation", the leaves from the tree Mitragyna speciosa are commonly used in their native habitat of Southeast Asia. These leaves are utilized as a stimulant to sustain energy during hard day labor and as an opioid-like analgesic and sedative. The leaf extract has gained popularity in the United States and Europe in the last 2 decades. Mitragyna speciosa is also used for the mitigation of opioid withdrawal symptoms and as a harm reduction agent. The stimulant- and opioid-like effects are linked to the interaction of the alkaloid mitragynine with opioid receptors.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- root
- stem
- fruits
- stipules
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Mitragyna speciosa has been utilized for centuries within Thai herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments including fever, pain, and digestive issues. Local communities in Southeast Asia historically gathered the leaves and bark to create infusions used for their stimulating and analgesic properties. These traditional practices often integrated the plant into ritualistic healing processes and daily wellness routines. Beyond its medicinal applications, historical records suggest the plant was used to increase stamina among laborers. This long history of usage established a foundation for modern scientific interest in its bioactive compounds.
According to a study published by "Life sciences", mitragynine is an indole-alkaloid isolated from the Thai medicinal herb kratom (Mitragyna speciosa). This alkaloid is used in Thai herbal medicine for its analgesic properties. The study focused on how mitragynine affects neurogenic contraction of smooth muscle. Specifically, it was found that mitragynine inhibited the contraction of the vas deferens produced by electrical transmural stimulation. The research also demonstrated that mitragynine inhibited nicotine- or tyramine-induced contraction. Through the patch-clamp technique, the substance was found to block T- and L-type Ca2+ channel currents in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Thai herbal medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Mitragyna speciosa?
This plant has analgesic properties, CNS stimulant effects, and opioid-like effects through its action as a MOR agonist to provide significant pain relief. The alkaloids present in the leaves interact with specific receptors in the brain to modulate pain signaling pathways. These chemical compounds mimic the behavior of traditional narcotics, which contributes to its potent ability to alleviate discomfort. By stimulating the central nervous system, the plant also promotes increased alertness in users. This combination of pharmacological activities makes it a subject of intense study for managing various types of pain.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesia
- CNS stimulant
- MOR agonist activity
- pain relief
- opioid-like effects
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several bioactive alkaloids including (+)-mitragyniine, 7-hydroxymitragyniine, mitragyniine, paynantheine, and speciogynine. These specific medicinal compounds are primarily concentrated within the leaves of the species. The alkaloid mitragyniine is often identified as one of the most abundant constituents in the plant's chemical profile. Additionally, 7-hydroxymitragyniine is recognized for its potent pharmacological effects. Other minor components like paynantheine and speciogynine contribute to the complex chemical makeup of the organism.
According to a study published by "British journal of pharmacology", Mitragyna speciosa is a plant that contains opioidergic alkaloids. The specific alkaloids identified in the plant include mitragyniine, 7-hydroxymitragyniine, paynantheine, and speciogynine. These kratom alkaloids were found to be strongly G protein-biased at all 3 opioid receptors, which are the mu, delta, and kappa receptors. While these alkaloids can reduce alcohol intake, both kratom and 7-hydroxymitragyniine were found to be rewarding.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- mitragyniine
- 7-hydroxymitragyniine
- paynantheine
- speciogynine
- mitragyniine pseudoindoxyl
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating malaria, fever, pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Its active compounds act as powerful antimalarial agents that help reduce high body temperatures during infection. The leaves and bark are frequently applied or consumed to soothe physical pain and decrease systemic inflammation. Additionally, certain preparations of the plant are utilized to calm the nervous system and alleviate symptoms of anxiety. These diverse medicinal applications make it a significant resource in traditional healing practices.
According to a study published by "Life sciences", the Thai medicinal plant Mitragyna speciosa contains an indole alkaloid called mitragynine which possesses an analgesic effect. In experiments, mitragynine at concentrations of 1 nM to 3 microM inhibited the electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea-pig ileum with a pD2 value of 6.91 +/- 0.04 (n = 5). This substance was found to be 10 fold less potent than morphine, which had a pD2 of 7.68 +/- 0.11 (n = 5) when tested between 1 nM and 1 microM. While mitragynine at 3-10 microM did not affect contractions induced by acetylcholine or histamine, it did inhibit the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal contraction after a 5 min exposure of the ileum to morphine. These findings suggest that the alkaloid from Mitragyna speciosa inhibits contraction through the opioid receptor.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- pain
- inflammation
- fever
- malaria
- anti-inflammatory
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is processed into various medicinal herbal preparations including 7-hydroxymitragyniine-enriched Kratom preparation, Mitragyna speciosa ethanolic extract, decoctions, powder, and nanoparticle-based topical gels. Researchers utilize decoctions and finely ground powder to deliver traditional doses of the plant's alkaloids. Ethanol extracts are specifically developed to concentrate bioactive compounds for more potent pharmaceutical applications. Advanced technology has also enabled the creation of 7-hydroxymitragyniine-enriched Kratom preparation to target specific receptor interactions. Furthermore, the development of nanoparticle-based topical gels offers a localized method for transdermal drug delivery.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Mitragyna speciosa contains bioactive alkaloids, notably mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The antioxidant properties of Mitragyna speciosa ethanolic extracts yielded EC50 values of 0.06 mg/mL for DPPH, 0.29 mg/mL for ABTS, and 55 g Fe2+/100 g for FRAP. Both alkaloid-rich extracts and purified mitragynine significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up to 50-70% at non-cytotoxic concentrations of ≤25 µg/mL. These findings suggest that mitragynine is the principal anti-adipogenic constituent in Mitragyna speciosa extracts. The results support the development of Mitragyna speciosa-derived extracts and mitragynine for applications targeting subcutaneous fat and oxidative skin damage.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 7-hydroxymitragynine-enriched Kratom preparation
- Mitragyna speciosa ethanolic extract
- Decoctions
- Powder
- Nanoparticle-based topical gels
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause serious health complications including abnormal liver tests, addiction, arrhythmia, constipation, and kidney injury. Regular consumption may lead to chemical imbalances that result in irregular heartbeats. The substances within the plant also carry a significant risk of dependency and withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, users have reported digestive issues like constipation alongside more severe damage to renal functions. These physiological disruptions highlight the potential dangers associated with its use.
According to a study published by "Journal of investigative medicine high impact case reports", Mitragyna speciosa is a medicinal plant used for stimulant and analgesic properties through multiple alkaloid compounds. In a clinical case involving a 47-year-old male, the use of the plant led to fatigue, pruritus, and abnormal liver tests with a mixed hepatocellular/cholestatic pattern approximately 21 days after use. After a latency of 2 days following a second use 9 months after initial recovery, the patient experienced fatigue, pruritus, loss of appetite, and the same abnormal biochemical profile. This case was identified as a highly likely or definite example of drug-induced liver injury caused by Mitragyna speciosa.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- abnormal liver tests
- addiction
- arrhythmia
- constipation
- kidney injury
What herbs are paired with Mitragyna speciosa?
This plant is frequently paired with ginger, honey, or lemon to improve its bitter flavor profile and enhance digestive comfort.
Many users combine the crushed leaves with warm water and citrus juices to mitigate the intense astringency of the botanical. Some traditional preparations involve steeping the material alongside warming spices like cinnamon to balance the overall taste. These combinations serve both to make the consumption more palatable and to potentially complement the plant's physiological effects.
Such mixtures are common among those looking to incorporate the herb into a daily wellness routine.