Mitragyna speciosa
Kratom
Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Renowned for its bioactive alkaloids, particularly mitragynine, the plant's leaves are traditionally used to induce stimulating or sedative effects. Today, it remains a subject of significant scientific interest regarding its pharmacological potential and regulation.
- Scientific name: Mitragyna speciosa
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is further categorized into the family Rubiaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identification is defined by the genus Mitragyna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mitragyna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Mitragyna speciosa, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Portuguese, it is called kratom, while in German, it is referred to as Kratom. In Russian, the name is Кратом, and in Spanish, it is known as Kratom. Finally, in its native Thailand, the plant is called กระท่อม.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | kratom | Wikidata |
| de | Kratom | Wikidata |
| ru | Кратом | Wikidata |
| es | Kratom | Wikidata |
| th | กระท่อม | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Ketum | Wikidata |
| fi | siaminkratomi | Wikidata |
| sv | Kratom | Wikidata |
| it | Kratom | Wikidata |
| fr | Kratom | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China region, its presence is documented in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Moving toward the Malesia zone, the species can also be found throughout Borneo. Additionally, it is distributed across the Malay peninsula. Together, these areas highlight the tropical habitat essential for its natural growth.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
| Malesia | Sumatera | WCVP |
| Papuasia | New Guinea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Mitragyna speciosa, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties derived from various anatomical structures. The most significant components used for medicinal extraction are the leaves, which contain the primary bioactive alkaloids. Often, the dried leaf material is prepared into various forms, such as powders or teas, to facilitate consumption. While specific preparations may focus solely on the foliage, some traditional remedies utilize the whole plant material, including the bark and roots, to achieve a broader range of effects. Additionally, the botanical identification of the species often relies on the presence of distinctive stipules, which are small, appendage-like structures located at the base of the leaf stalks.- Total parts
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 28
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| Leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf material | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant material | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stipules | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves of this plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kratom leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mitragyna speciosa has 44 reported phytochemicals identified across 181 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, speciogynine, paynantheine, speciociliatine.
- Total chemicals
- 44
- Scientific sources
- 181
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| mitragynine | 53 | ★★★★★ |
| 7-hydroxymitragynine | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| speciogynine | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| paynantheine | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| speciociliatine | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Mitragynine | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| corynantheidine | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| mitraphylline | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| 7-Hydroxymitragynine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| corynoxine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Mitragyna speciosa has 20 reported activities identified across 60 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Stimulant, Psychoactive, Analgesic, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic.
- Total activities
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 60
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulant | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| Psychoactive | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Analgesic | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Narcotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Mitragyna speciosa has 57 reported medicinal uses identified across 139 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain, chronic pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety.
- Total uses
- 57
- Scientific sources
- 139
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pain | 29 | ★★★★★ |
| chronic pain | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| fatigue | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| depression | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| anxiety | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| opioid dependence | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| pain management | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| mood | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| opioid addiction | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| opioid use disorder | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |