Testing quantification of Kratom compounds mitragynine and its 7-hydroxy metabolite in commercially available Kratom products

Authors' Affiliations

Teeters, Morgan PharmD Candidate, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University; Durbin, Kathryn, PharmD Candidate, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University; Brown, Stacy, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University

Location

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-5-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

4-5-2024 11:30 AM

Poster Number

62

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Brooks Pond

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Classification of First Author

Clinical Doctoral Student

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Presentation Category

Health

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Kratom is an herbal substance that produces opioid-like and stimulant-like effects. Kratom contains bioactive alkaloids that include mitragynine and 7-OH mitragynine. Both substances activate mu-opioid receptors as well as bind to adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic receptors, which may be responsible for the stimulant effects. There is no current approved use of kratom or kratom products by the USFDA, but it is currently being used by individuals for management of drug withdrawal, pain, fatigue, and mental health problems. Multiple serious but rare side-effects have been reported, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, psychiatric, cardiovascular issues. Thus, the USDEA considers it to be a “drug/chemical of concern” and has warned the public against risks of kratom use. As such, research on kratom products is necessary to better understand risks and inform policy regarding regulation. Here, we sought to determine quantities of mitragynine and metabolite 7-hydroxy mitragynine in commercially available kratom products and compare them to values listed on the product’s label. Samples were prepared by dissolving the products in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid, which were then filtered, sonicated and centrifuged. In order to quantify each compound, we utilized high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). An XBridge C18 column with 3.5 um particle size, 4.6 x 150 mm was used, and separation was achieved using a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and the oven temperature was set at 40oC. The quantities from peak area results were then compared to quantities of pharmacologically active ingredients listed on product packaging. For all products tested, the listed amount of mitragynine was 1.5% and 7-hydroxy mitragynine was 0.3%. We found that levels of mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine in the sample products differed from the listed values. For example, one kratom liquid product’s certificate of analysis claimed to include 10.7 mg/mL of mitragynine. Our analysis of the product indicated the mitragynine concentration was 66.4 mg/mL, which is 6 times the listed value. In conclusion, kratom products may contain substantially more active ingredient than indicated on their labels; this may lead to over-ingestion of kratom and subsequent undesirable side effects.

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Apr 5th, 9:00 AM Apr 5th, 11:30 AM

Testing quantification of Kratom compounds mitragynine and its 7-hydroxy metabolite in commercially available Kratom products

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Kratom is an herbal substance that produces opioid-like and stimulant-like effects. Kratom contains bioactive alkaloids that include mitragynine and 7-OH mitragynine. Both substances activate mu-opioid receptors as well as bind to adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic receptors, which may be responsible for the stimulant effects. There is no current approved use of kratom or kratom products by the USFDA, but it is currently being used by individuals for management of drug withdrawal, pain, fatigue, and mental health problems. Multiple serious but rare side-effects have been reported, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, psychiatric, cardiovascular issues. Thus, the USDEA considers it to be a “drug/chemical of concern” and has warned the public against risks of kratom use. As such, research on kratom products is necessary to better understand risks and inform policy regarding regulation. Here, we sought to determine quantities of mitragynine and metabolite 7-hydroxy mitragynine in commercially available kratom products and compare them to values listed on the product’s label. Samples were prepared by dissolving the products in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid, which were then filtered, sonicated and centrifuged. In order to quantify each compound, we utilized high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). An XBridge C18 column with 3.5 um particle size, 4.6 x 150 mm was used, and separation was achieved using a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and the oven temperature was set at 40oC. The quantities from peak area results were then compared to quantities of pharmacologically active ingredients listed on product packaging. For all products tested, the listed amount of mitragynine was 1.5% and 7-hydroxy mitragynine was 0.3%. We found that levels of mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine in the sample products differed from the listed values. For example, one kratom liquid product’s certificate of analysis claimed to include 10.7 mg/mL of mitragynine. Our analysis of the product indicated the mitragynine concentration was 66.4 mg/mL, which is 6 times the listed value. In conclusion, kratom products may contain substantially more active ingredient than indicated on their labels; this may lead to over-ingestion of kratom and subsequent undesirable side effects.