Kratom (Mitragynia speciosa), seizure latency, anxiety, and “social” behavior in the zebrafish

Abstract

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is used as a stimulant, an opioid-like analgesic, and a sedative. However, Kratom consumption has profound effects, such as seizures, withdrawal, hallucinations, coma, and cardiac or respiratory arrest. We tested Kratom's effects on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in adult zebrafish (D rerio) using hydroethanolic Kratom extracts. Kratom extracts have pro-convulsant effects at low concentrations (10-4-10-1 mg/mL), while sedation occurs at higher concentrations. In the open-field test, Kratom has no anxiolytic effects; however, "social" behavior was lost at high concentrations (1.0 mg/mL). Our results confirm the possible proconvulsant role of Kratom while questioning its anxiolytic effects.