Abstract
Purpose: To develop a solid phase extraction (SPE) method that utilizes reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to determine mitragynine (MG) in rat and human urine, and to investigate the influence of caffeine (CF) on urinary excretion of MG in rats.Methods: A two-dimensional wash-elute study was conducted using Oasis® HLB cartridge. The optimized SPE procedures consisted of washing with 5 and 70 % methanol containing 2 % ammonium hydroxide and eluting with methanol containing 2 % acetic acid. The SPE-HPLC method was validated according to United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Two groups of rats were used for the study and received an oral administration of either alkaloid extract (AE) of kratom (100 mg/kg), or AE (100 mg/kg) combined with CF (25 mg/kg). The 24-h urine samples after administration were analyzed using the developed method for the content of MG excreted.Results: Validation indicate good linearity (r > 0.9991) and high precision in rat (1.18 - 5.97) and human urine (0.67 - 3.41). Accuracy for rat and human urine ranged from -9.11 - 19.64 and -7.20 - 13.72 %, respectively. Recovery of MG ranged from 92.75 - 100.83 %. Co-administration of AE and CF significantly increased urinary excretion of MG.Conclusion: The developed SPE method is simple, fast and reliable, and can be suitably applied to pharmacokinetic studiesKeywords: Mitragynine, Mitragyna speciosa, Solid phase extraction, Caffeine, Urine
Highlights
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) is a native plant in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand
Precision was indicated as coefficient of variation (CV) and accuracy was shown as deviation (DEV)
alkaloid extract (AE) was dissolved in pure propylene glycol, while CF was dissolved in deionized water
Summary
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) is a native plant in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. Leaves from kratom have been traditionally used for curing conditions such as diarrhea and muscle pain. It possesses psychoactive properties and opium-like effects [1]. Kratom abuse is common in southern Thailand among adolescents for recreation [2]. The other additives include anxiolytic, antidepressant, and analgesic drugs, mosquito coil powder, fluorescent light bulb powder, road paint, and pesticides. These toxic substances are added with a suggestion for enhancing the cocktail’s effects without scientific support [3]
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