MITRAGYNINE PICRATE

Description

This alkaloid has been isolated from Mitragyna speciosa Korth, and is amorphous although it yields a series of crystalline salts and derivatives. The hydrochloride crystallizes as colourless leaflets from EtOH-Et20 with m.p. 243°C; the picrate forms thin, orange-red needles, m.p. 223-4°C and the methiodide is a pale yellow powder which, although amorphous, has a sharp melting point of 21 1. 5°C. The alkaloid also forms compounds with acetic acid, m.p. 142°C, decomposing at 175-6°, and with trichloroacetic acid, m.p. 157°C.
Mitragynine exerts a general depressant effect on plain muscle and facilitates the passage of autonomic impulses. It is, however, ineffective against pathogenic organisms.

Description

Mitragynine is the predominant alkaloid produced by the southeastern Asian plant?Mitragyna speciosa?Korth., a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It was isolated in 1921 by Ellen Field, a medicinal chemist at the University of Edinburgh.
M. speciosa, known locally as kratom, has been used in traditional medicine for ≈200 years. It has opiate-like properties and has been used to treat chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. More recently, it has come into recreational use. Clinical studies on kratom and mitragynine are just beginning.
In September 2016, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?designated kratom, mitragynine, and one of its derivatives as Schedule I substances. Schedule 1 is the most restrictive category under the US Controlled Substances Act. DEA cited the lack of information on mitragynine and reports of adverse reactions—even death—from taking kratom.
Researchers studying the medical use of mitragynine and its pseudoindoxyl derivative decried the Schedule I classification. One of them, Andrew C. Kruegel at Columbia University, said, “Placing these compounds into Schedule I will erect an enormous barrier to scientific research in this field and will dramatically curtail our work with this exciting plant.”

Chemical properties

White to Off-White Solid

The Uses of MITRAGYNINE PICRATE

A neurochemical, having both stimulant and opiate-like effects depending on the dosage. Currently, Mitragynin is being investigated for its ability to treat hard drug addiction.

The Uses of MITRAGYNINE PICRATE

Mitragynine is a neurochemical, having both stimulant and opiate-like effects depending on the dosage. Currently, Mitragynine is being investigated for its ability to treat hard drug addiction.

Definition

ChEBI: Mitragynine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid.

References

Field., J. Chern. Soc., 119,887 (1921)
Raymond-Hamet, Millat., Bull. sci. pharrnacol., 40, 593 (1933)
lng, Raison., J. Chern. Soc., 986 (1939)
Loudon., Chern. Soc. Spec. Publ., 3, 12 (1955)
Hendrickson., Chern. & Ind., 713 (1961)
Joshi, Raymond-Hamet, Taylor., ibid, 573 (1963)
Pharmacology: Grewal., J. Pharrn. expo Ther., 46,251 (1932)