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Datasheet: --- Mirtagyna speciosa

1. NOMENCLATURE

Synonyms: ---
Mitragyna religiosa
Mitragyne speciosa (Korth)

Common Names (english): --- Kratom

Common Names (non-english): --- Biak, biak-biak, gra-tom, katawn, kraton, kutum, kutum, mabog, mitragyne

Taxonomic Position: --- Rubiaceae (Coffee Family)

2. DESCRIPTION

Plant Type: --- Tropical Tree/Shrub

Morphology: --- This tropical tree or shrub often grows to a height of only 3 to 4 meters, although it will sometimes grow as tall as 12 to 16 meters. It has a strait trunk with forked branches that grow upward obliquely. The oval, green leaves have a very large surface area (being 8 to 12 cm long) and are tapered at the ends. The deep yellow flowers grow in globular clusters attached to the leaf axils on long stalks. The seeds are winged.

Similarity to Other Species: --- Kratom is easily confused with other members of the genus Mitragyna, such as the African species Mitragyna brunonis.

3. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY

Geographical Distribution: ---

Native Habitat: --- The tree is purported to be native to Thailand.

Hardiness and Environmental Requirements: --- Requires temperatures to be constantly above 50F. High humidity and temperatures from 80-90 are optimal.

Soil Requirements: ---

4. PROPAGATION AND CYCLE

Types of Propagation: --- Propagation is done by taking branch cuttings.

Seed Germination Notes: ---

Life Cycle: ---

5. HISTORY AND CULTURE---
In the nineteenth century, it was reported that kratom was being used in Malaysia as an opium substitute and to heal "opium addiction". Phytochemical research into the plant began around 1920. Pharmacological studies of the main active constituent began soon thereafter.

6. PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS

Documented properties: ---

Medicinal Use-
In Thai medicine, kratom is used to treat diarrhea. Drivers of tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motorized 'taxis') use kratom as an amphetamine substitute. In Malaysia, the leaves are used as a folk medicinal treatment for worms.

In West Africa, the related species Mitragyna stipulosa is used in folk medicine as a local anesthetic. The bark is drunk in palm wine to counteract poisoning and as a diuretic.

Recreational Use-
Kratom and its derivatives have been used as a substitute for opium as well as an aid for the management of opium withdrawal. Data on the incidence and prevalence of its use are lacking, as physicians are generally unfamiliar with it, and its use is not detected by typical drug screening tests. Kratom metabolites can be detected by specialized mass spectrometry tests. Incidence of kratom use appears to be increasing among those who have been self-managing chronic pain with opioids purchased without a prescription and are cycling (but not quitting) their use. Its popularity has also been increasing among college students.

Parts of the plant with therapeutic/psychoactive value: --- Leaves

Phytochemical Information: --- The plant contains numerous indole alkaloids: mitragyne, ajmalicine, corynanthedin, isomitraphylline, mitraphylline, mitraversine, paynantheine, speciogynine, speciofoline, speciophulline, stpulatine (= rotundifoline), rhynchophylline, mitragynaline, corynantheidinalinic acid.

The main active constituent, mitragynine (66% of the total alkaloid mixture), is present especially in the leaves. Young leaves of plants of Thai origin contain 7α-Hydroxy-7H-mitragynine (1.6% of the total alkaloid mixture). A total of approximately 0.5% alkaloids is present in the dried leaves. A new indole alkaloid, 3-dehydromitragynine, was discovered in the fresh leaves.

Mitragynine is chemically related to psilocybin and other ergot alkaloids e.g., alstovenine. Mitraphylline and isomitraphylline belong to the yohimbine type.

The fresh leaves also contain (-)-epicathechine. Several flavinoids are present in the dried leaves. Both the dried and fresh leaves have been found to contain ursolic acid.

The alkaloid mitraspecine is present in the wood and bark.

Several of these alkaloids also occur in other species (e.g Mitragyna parvifolia)

6. REFERENCES AND CITATIONS

STS Threads with Information: ---

External Links: ---

Citation Sources: ---
1. The Encyclopedia Of Psychoactive Plants - Ethnopharmacology and its Applications
By Christian Ratsch
Forward By Albert Hoffman

2. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1908849

3. http://www.eurekaselect.com/87838/article