Ph.D. Student University of Florida Gainesville, Florida
Kratom has been used as a self-treatment for pain and has shown the potential to treat opioid-withdrawal symptoms. Among the alkaloids in kratom, mitragynine is thought to be responsible for the pharmacological effects. Although kratom has been used for centuries, the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters, the metabolites constitution, and the safety of mitragynine in both sexes have not been evaluated. Herein, a multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study of mitragynine in both male and female rats was conducted. The results showed that mitragynine systemic exposure is significantly higher in female rats than in male rats. The major metabolites were mitragynine acid and 9-hydroxycorynantheidine while 7-hydroxymitragynine is the minor metabolite. The results of clinical chemistry and hematological tests showed there were no abnormal hematological findings in both sexes. This study provides toxicological results and the pharmacokinetic parameters of multiple-dose mitragynine in both male and female rats which can be referenced in further clinical settings.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, the participant will be able to evaluate the safety of multiple-dose mitragynine in male and female rats.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to investigate the steady-state pharmacokinetic properties of mitragynine in both male and female rats.
c quantify the metabolite composition of mitragynine in rat plasma, urine, and feces.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to analyze glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of mitragynine and its metabolites in urine and feces.