Morphine Content Research Articles

Determination of Opium Alkaloid Content in Poppy Seeds Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with a Mass Spectrometer with a Time-of-Flight Analyzer (UPLC-TOF-HRMS).

Opium poppy is a plant used in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. Substances found on the surface of dry poppy seeds belong to the group of opium alkaloids. However, the presence of these substances in food products poses a risk to consumer health, which is why new permissible levels for both substances in poppy seeds and derivative products have been introduced in Regulation (EU) 2023/915. This research aimed to analyze the content of all six opium alkaloids in poppy seeds provided directly by producers as well as those available on the local market in Poland. The research confirmed the presence of morphine in all examined poppy seed samples. The alkaloid content ranged from 12.46 to 102.86 mg/kg for seeds purchased in local markets and from 1.1 to 110.1 mg/kg for seeds obtained directly from producers. Both groups showed similar levels of morphine content as well as other OAs, which significantly exceeded the permissible limit of 20 mg/kg set by the European Commission (EU) 2023/915. These results indicate that the presence of morphine and other opium alkaloids in poppy seeds exceeds permissible levels, posing a serious health issue and necessitating further research and improvement in processing methods.

Phylogeography and genetic structure of Papaver bracteatum populations in Iran based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)

Papaver bracteatum, known for its high thebaine content and absence of morphine, has emerged as a promising alternative to opium poppy for codeine production. In this study, our objective was to create a diverse panel representing the natural variation of this species in Iran. To achieve this, we employed genotyping-by-sequencing to obtain genome-wide distributed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for phylogeographic analysis, population structure assessment, and evaluation of genetic diversity within P. bracteatum populations. A total of 244 P. bracteatum individuals from 13 distinct populations formed seven genetic groups, along with one highly admixed population. We observed a clear split between the populations inhabiting the Alborz Mts. in the east and Zagros Mts. in the west. In between these mountain ranges, the population of Kachal Mangan exhibited a high degree of genetic admixture between both genetic groups. At or after the end of the last glacial maximum, when climate conditions rapidly changed, all P. bracteatum populations experienced a strong demographic bottleneck reducing the already small effective population sizes further before they increased to their recent strengths. Our results suggest that the ongoing climate change together with human pressure on the species’ habitats and limited seed-dispersal ability are potential factors contributing today to rising genetic isolation of P. bracteatum populations. Our results provide genetic data that can be used for conservation measures to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity as a resource for future breeding approaches in this medicinally important species.

The alkaloid content of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) varieties in Turkey by their correlation and path coefficient relationships

The research was conducted with the aim of examining the alkaloids content of twelve poppies (Papaver somniferum L.) cultivars registered in Turkey by correlation and path analysis of relationships among alkaloids with capsule yield. The field experiments were set up according to a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2017-18 and 2018-19 under the semi-arid ecological conditions of Isparta, Turkey. The differences among the capsule yields and alkaloid contents of poppy varieties were statistically significant (P≤0.01) in both periods, and the capsule yields were determined to be between 253.4-556.2 kg ha-1 in the first year and 332.7-659.2 kg ha-1 in the second year. The morphine, codeine, oripavine, thebaine, papaverine, and noscapine contents of poppy cultivars varied between 0.46-1.84%, 0.08-0.30%, 0.009-0.057%, 0.031-0.093%, 0.002-0.047% and 0.017-0.094%, respectively. According to correlation analysis, the relationships between the morphine content with codeine (r=0.415*), oripavine (r=0.362*), and papaverine (r=0.624**) were significant and positive while noscapine (r=0.164ns) and thebaine (r=0.043ns) were insignificant and positive. In the path coefficient analysis, papaverine (p=0.631, 67.75%) had the highest direct effect on morphine content followed by thebaine, orpavine, and noscapine, respectively. Noscapine had the highest indirect positive effect on morphine content via papaverine while thebaine had negative and high indirect effects via papaverine. In the study, varieties that could be recommended for the semi-arid ecological conditions of Turkey were the TMO-1 and TMO-3 varieties due to higher capsule yields and the Ofis-1 variety due to the high alkaloid content.

Quality monitoring and evaluation of Powdered Poppy Capsule Extractive by multiple wavelengths matching average fusion chromatographic fingerprint combined with electrochemical fingerprint

As quality determined the effectiveness and safety of the drug, it is essential to investigate and control the quality of Powdered Poppy Capsule Extractive (PPCE). In this paper, the qualitative and quantitative evaluation results of PPCE were obtained by using electrochemical fingerprint and high performance liquid chromatographic fingerprint. In the multi-wavelength matching average fusion chromatographic fingerprint, three parameters of macro qualitative similarity (Sc), macro quantitative similarity (Pc) and the variation coefficient of fingerprint homogeneity (α) were calculated by the limited quantified ratio fingerprint method (LQRFM). The Sc values of the samples were all greater than 0.986, the Pc values between 94.1 and 104.7, and the α values all less than 0.024 calculated by LQRFM. The calibration curve method was used to determine the contents of two markers in the samples. The loading plot of contents for two markers illustrated that the samples were divided into three categories. Firstly, the contents of morphine and codeine phosphate were below 9.3% and 4.20% in Group I (S2, S3, S6, S8, S27 and S30). Secondly, the codeine phosphate contents of Group II (S7, S9, S10, S16, S20, S24, S28 and S29) were less than 4.2%, but the morphine contents were over 9.3%.Finally, Samples with codeine phosphate content higher than 4.2% and morphine higher than 9.3% were classified as the Group III. Combined with cluster analysis of the maximum amplitude in the electrochemical fingerprint and the content determination results of PPCE, the results showed a high similarity. This study demonstrated that the electrochemical fingerprint was suitable for the identification of traditional Chinese medicine, and LQRFM was reliable and accurate for the quality control of complex traditional Chinese medicine or its related products.

Does the preparation for intravenous administration affect the composition of heroin injections? A controlled laboratory study.

To study whether the preparation procedure, and its acidic and heating conditions, used by heroin users to prepare heroin for intravenous administration affects the final composition of the fluid to be injected. Samples from different seizures of illegal heroin provided by the Norwegian police were prepared by adding water and ascorbic acid before heating under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Further, three seizures were prepared with different amounts of ascorbic or citric acid relative to their diacetylmorphine content. Pure diacetylmorphine base or salt was also submitted to the procedure applying two different heating intensities. The seizures and the final product after preparation were analysed for diacetylmorphine, 6-acetylmorphine and morphine using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). After preparation, a decrease of 19.8% (25th and 75th percentiles=-29.2 and -15.3) in the initial diacetylmorphine content was observed. Both the 6-acetylmorphine and morphine content increased but, due to their low content in the initial product, diacetylmorphine still represented 83.9% (25th and 75th percentiles=77.3 and 88.0) of the sum of these three opioids in the final solution. The loss of water during preparation caused an increase in the concentration of diacetylmorphine, 6-acetylmorphine and morphine, depending on the heating intensity applied. The content of these opioids was affected by the quantity and type of acid added in relation to the heroin purity and the level of diacetylmorphine dissolved being proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid, but not citric acid, in the sample with high heroin purity. Preparation of heroin for intravenous injection appears to change the amount or concentration of diacetylmorphine and its active metabolites, 6-acetylmorphine and morphine in the final product, depending on heroin purity, amount and type of acid used or heating conditions. These circumstances can contribute to unintentional variations in the potency of the final injected solution, and therefore affect the outcome after injection.

Production of some benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Papaver armeniacum L. hairy root cultures elicited with salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate

Papaver armeniacum hairy roots were induced by four Rhizobium rhizogenes strains on three explants (shoot, root, and hypocotyl). Also, the effects of two concentrations (100 and 200 μM) of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid (SA) were assessed on productions of papaverine, noscapine, thebaine, morphine, and codeine and expression of some related genes (TYDC, DBOX, BBE, SalAT, T6ODM, and COR) in P. armeniacum L. hairy root culture at 24 and 48 h after elicitation. R. rhizogenes strain C58C1 induced the highest hairy root rate on hypocotyl explant. Application of 100 μM MJ resulted in the highest contents of thebaine, codeine, and morphine by enhancing the expression of SalAT, COR, and T6ODM genes, respectively, while application of 100 μM SA resulted in the highest contents of papaverine and noscapine by upregulating DBOX and BBE genes, respectively. 100 μM MJ can be used as an effective elicitor in P. armeniacum hairy root culture to increase studied morphinan alkaloids. Also, SA can be suggested for enhancing papaverine and noscapine contents in P. armeniacum hairy root culture. It may be due to that there is a SA- and MJ-signaling crosstalk, which results in reciprocal antagonism between SA and MJ signaling pathways. The effects of MJ and SA elicitors on benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) production were level-dependent.

Death from Poppy Tea Consumption.

The historical practice of brewing poppy tea for its opioid-like effects is reoccurring with modern-day substance users. We present four postmortem cases with toxicology results that serve as case studies for the potential hazards of poppy tea ingestion. There is limited information regarding the risks of this practice due to the variability of the morphine content of the opium exuded from the plant. While internet tea recipes offer guidance, differences in poppy cultivation, washing, and infusing time are some of the reasons why the beverage may contain inconsistent and clinically significant alkaloid concentrations for each preparation. Variability in opioid tolerance along with additional drugs taken will impact the overall degree of toxicity experienced from the opiates in the tea. Advancements in the genetic modification of the poppy plant could greatly alter the ratio of alkaloids seen in biological fluids and will be highly dependent on the source of the poppy product. The blood concentrations of free morphine and free codeine in cases 1-3 where the toxicity from the tea was considered the primary cause of death were 0.94 and 0.11mg/L, 0.62 and 0.034mg/L, and 0.16 and 0.010mg/L, respectively. The urine concentrations of morphine and codeine were 13 and 0.94mg/L in case 1 and 16 and 1.6mg/L in case 2, respectively. The opium alkaloids thebaine and laudanosine were identified qualitatively by our routine organic base/neutral drug detection procedure.

Leveraging Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs to Evaluate Opioid Policy Interventions

Research ObjectiveA variety of state and federal policies have been enacted to curtail prescription opioid overdoses, including implementation of statewide opioid prescribing guidelines and rescheduling of hydrocodone from DEA Schedule III to Schedule II. We aimed to use data from the Ohio Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to evaluate the effects of these policies.Study DesignRetrospective study of all opioid prescriptions dispensed in the state of Ohio from 2010 to 2017. We first determined the number and characteristics of opioid prescriptions stratified by specialty. We then used an interrupted time series analysis to determine the effect on opioid prescribing after (a) the release of statewide opioid prescribing guidelines in 2012 and (b) the federal rescheduling of hydrocodone in 2014.Population StudiedThe state of Ohio. Prescriptions for the nine most common pill form opioid pain relievers dispensed in Ohio were included. The PDMP includes all prescriptions dispensed to individuals in the state, regardless of payer.Principal FindingsThe number and characteristics of opioid prescriptions and trends over time varied greatly between different prescriber specialties. The mean number of pills/prescription and morphine content of the prescriptions were highest for physical medicine/rehabilitation (91.2 pills, 1532 mg, n = 1 680 579), anesthesiology/pain (89.3 pills, 1484 mg, n = 3 261 449), hematology/oncology (88.2 pills, 1534 mg, n = 516,596), and neurology (84.4 pills, 1230 mg, n = 573 389). Overall, family medicine (21.8%) and internal medicine (17.6%) prescribed the most opioids. The implementation of emergency department opioid prescribing guidelines was associated with a 12% decrease (95% CI −17.7% to −6.3%) in the level of statewide total prescriptions/month and an additional decrease of 0.9% (95% CI −1.1% to −0.7%) relative to the trend before the guidelines. Rescheduling of hydrocodone was associated with a level change of −26 358 (95% CI −36 700 to −16 016) prescriptions (−5.8%) and an additional decrease of −1568 (95% CI −2296 to −839) prescriptions/month. Rescheduling was associated with a temporary substitution effect (increase) of codeine and with a decrease in the prescribing of tramadol.ConclusionsThe characteristics of opioid prescriptions vary widely by specialty and suggest the need for specialty‐specific guidance. Opioid guidelines targeting the emergency department were associated with a decrease in prescribing beyond the secular trend. The rescheduling of hydrocodone was associated with a decrease in hydrocodone prescriptions beyond the secular trend, but also appeared to affect the prescribing of other opioids as well.Implications for Policy or PracticePDMPs are state‐based prescribing databases that can be used to influence prescriber decision‐making at the point of care. However, their powerful data can also be used to describe prescribing behaviors overall and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented opioid‐related policies.

Reducing harm through the development of good preparation practices for the injection of slow release morphine sulphate capsules

BackgroundIt is not always easy to advise people who inject drugs (PWID) on how to prepare their drugs in a way that is associated with reduced harm. This is particularly true for pharmaceutical drugs that are not meant to be injected. Our objective was to find “good preparation practices” for slow release morphine sulphate capsules, namely preparation methods that reduce harm, that are evidence-based and acceptable to PWID.MethodsIn the laboratory, morphine sulphate capsules were prepared using both a cold and lukewarm preparation technique, two contact and stirring durations (1 min and 20 s) and 4 different filters (cotton filter, Sterifilt, Sterifilt+ and a wheel filter). The following outcomes were compared: particle reduction and morphine content in the filtrate, as well as filtration ease and time.ResultsThe lukewarm method and a stirring and contact time of 1 min were associated with a considerably higher morphine yield than both the cold method and the stirring time of only 20 s. Moreover, the suspension obtained was easy to filter using membrane filters. Particle reduction was important with all three membrane filters tested. Using the lukewarm method, morphine recovery was 86% for the wheel filter, 89% for the Sterifilt and 99% for the Sterifilt+.ConclusionsThe provision of a method that is easy to use, reduces harms associated to the injection of insoluble particles and recovers virtually all the active drug has a large chance to be adopted by people who use drugs. This type of “best practices” can be provided by drug workers and by people who use drugs to actively promote harm reduction.

HPLC analysis of morphine in tablet mixture glycyrrhizin composite

For the quality control of morphine content in Tablet Mixture Glycyrrhizin Composite, previously a so called (extraction) method was developed by our bureau. However, this method required acid and base treatments, repeated extraction of the sample with organic solvents, and it took about 60 working-hours. In this study, we have established an HPLC method to determine the morphine content in the product by using an Inertsil 5 ODS-2 colume (4.6 × 150mm), and a mobile phase consisting of 75% 2.5mM sod. 1-dodecane-sulfonate in 1% acetic acid and 25% acetonitrile. In order to compare the HPLC method with extraction method, the morphine content of 10 batches of product was quantified by both methods. The results obtained from both methods were not significantly different. The standard deviations of extraction method and HPLC method were ±1.98% and ±1.94%, respectively. The correlation coefficient(r) of 10 pairs data was 0.8093, showing very significant relationship between two methods in accordance with the r-and t-tests. In addition, the HPLC method reduces the analysis time to 8 hours. These results strongly suggest that the HPLC method is more efficient than the extraction method.

Hybrid Vigor for Alkaloid Contents in Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

This study aimed to determine suitable opium poppy hybrids over mid parent, better parent and standart check levels in alkaloid ratios. In the study, 36 hybrids were evaluated derived from nine varieties. The experiment was carried out in four replications in randomized block design in 2016 and 2017. Heterosis over mid parent values ranged from -4.91% to 65.43% for morphine, -76.91% to 278.05% for thebaine, -68.97% to 180.91% for noscapine, -53.60% to 150.45% for codeine, -93.55% to 289.61% for oripavine and -78.69% to 285.94% for papaverine. In the result study of 34 crosses recorded positive heterosis over mid parent for morphine content followed by 24 for thebaine, 23 for noscapine, 26 for codeine, 22 for oripavine and 15 for papaverine.

Quality evaluation of powdered poppy capsule extractive by systematic quantified fingerprint method combined with quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker method

Powdered Poppy Capsule Extractive (PPCE) is largely used as a raw material of Compound Liquorice Tablets, but there are few studies of its quality evaluation or control. In this paper, a novel strategy for quality assessment of PPCE, systematic quantified fingerprint method (SQFM) combined with quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method, was developed and validated. According to the outcome of Pm and the content of codeine and morphine, 41 batches of PPCEs were classified into two classifications by hierarchical cluster analysis, and the samples in one of the categories were obviously inferior to normal in quality. The results demonstrated that the strategy developed in this paper could provide a new method for quality evaluation of PPCE or even other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Extraction and Determination of Morphine Present on the Surface of Australian Food Grade Poppy Seeds Using Acidic Potassium Permanganate Chemiluminescence Detection

In 2018, the European Food Safety Authority reiterated the need for continued monitoring and reduction of opium alkaloid contamination on culinary poppy seeds. In this study, we propose acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence as an alternative detection strategy for the selective determination of morphine on poppy seeds. Six different brands of poppy seed purchased in Australia were found to contain, on average, between 21 and 210 μg/g of morphine. Seeds removed from poppy capsules within the laboratory contained significantly less morphine than those which underwent traditional industrial processing. A high-throughput sensitive flow injection analysis (FIA) method was also developed which provided results in reasonable agreement with a high-performance liquid chromatography – chemiluminescence method and a limit of quantification of 7.1 × 10−4 μg/g. Complex samples encountered in food analyses typically require separation and selectivity in one or more steps of the analytical workflow (such as sample preparation, column separation and/or detection) to improve the confidence in the determination of the target analyte. To this end, the FIA method developed here offers a simple way for industry to rapidly monitor the morphine content of poppy seeds prior to entry into the consumer market.

Opioid alkaloids profiling and antioxidant capacity of Papaver species from Iran

The distribution of Papaver alkaloids (noscapine, thebaine, codeine, papaverine and morphine) in roots, aerial parts and capsules of some Papaver species growing in Iran was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated through DPPH method. The amounts of alkaloids were varying widely among Papaver species, populations and plant organs. Noscapine was found as the most abundant alkaloid in roots, aerial parts and capsules of different Papaver species. Morphine was not detected in some of the species and plant organs. The highest contents of morphine (0.48 mg g−1 DW), codeine (1.09 mg g−1 DW), thebaine (0.84 mg g−1 DW), papaverine (2.96 mg g−1 DW) and noscapine (10.58 mg g−1 DW) were found in capsules of P. dubium (G1), and roots of P. arenarium (G12, G13), P. tenuifolium (G14), and P. dubium (G3), respectively. The antioxidant capacity of extracts was varied widely ranging from 1.22 in P. dubium capsules to 42.33 mg g−1 DW in P. lacerum capsules. The hierarchical cluster (HCA) and principal component (PCA) analysis were conducted for determining the relationships and similarities within the Papaver species. The resulting HCA represented three major groups. PCA showed that the first two components explained 40% of the total variation. This result could supply valuable information for screening of accessions containing high levels of individual alkaloids and antioxidants for use in breeding programs and pharmaceutical industries.

Relationship of opium yield with yield contributing traits in segregating populations derived through biparental mating in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

The present research work was undertaken to discern the character associations and the direct as well as indirect effect of component traits on opium yield in biparental inbreeding populations (BIPs) derived from four segregating base populations of the crosses NB-1Kr40-3/3×NB-1Kr30 + 0.2–2/1, NB-5Kr40-7/2 × 58/1, NB-1Kr30 + 0.2–2/1 × 58/1, and NB-1Kr40-3/3×NB-5Kr40-7/2 through North Carolina Design-I (NCD-I). Ample amount of inherent genetic association among the traits was witnessed as the magnitudes of genotypic correlations (rg) were larger than phenotypic correlations (rp) in BIPs developed from all the four populations. Opium yield showed negative correlation with morphine content in all the BIPs derived from four different base populations. It was concluded that selection based on branches/plant, leaves/plant, stem diameter, capsule size, capsule weight/plant, seed yield/plant, and husk yield/plant or concurrent selection for more than one trait may augment the opium yield in opium poppy.

Endophytic Consortium With Diverse Gene-Regulating Capabilities of Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids Biosynthetic Pathway Can Enhance Endogenous Morphine Biosynthesis in Papaver somniferum

Secondary metabolite biosynthesis in medicinal plants is multi-step cascade known to be modulated by associated endophytes. While a single endophyte is not able to upregulate all biosynthetic steps, limiting maximum yield achievement. Therefore to compliment the deficient characteristics in an endophyte we tried consortium of endophytes to achieve maximum yield. Here, efforts were made to maximize the in planta morphine yield, using consortium of two endophytes; SM1B (Acinetobacter sp.) upregulating most of the genes of morphine biosynthesis except T6ODM and CODM, and SM3B (Marmoricola sp.) upregulating T6ODM and CODM in alkaloid-less Papaver somniferum cv. Sujata. Consortium-inoculation significantly increased morphine and thebaine content, and also increased the photosynthetic efficiency of poppy plants resulted in increased biomass, capsule weight, and seed yields compared to single-inoculation. The increment in morphine content was due to the modulation of metabolic-flow of key intermediates including reticuline and thebaine, via upregulating pertinent biosynthetic genes and enhanced expression of COR, key gene for morphine biosynthesis. This is the first report demonstrating the endophytic-consortium complimenting the functional deficiency of one endophyte by another for upregulating multiple genes of a metabolic pathway similar to transgenics (overexpressing multiple genes) for obtaining enhanced yield of pharmaceutically important metabolites.

Syringeability of morphine ARER, a novel, abuse-deterrent, extended-release morphine formulation

ABSTRACTBackground: Extended-release (ER) morphine formulations are commonly manipulated for non-oral routes of administration, particularly via injection. Morphine ARER, an abuse-deterrent formulation of ER morphine, has both physical and chemical properties that deter abuse. Objectives: To assess the syringeability of morphine ARER using in vitro laboratory studies. Methods: Intact, cut, or crushed morphine ARER tablets were incubated in 1, 5, or 10 mL of room temperature or 90°C water for 1, 5, 10, or 30 min of agitation. Crushed ER morphine tablets were assessed in 10 mL room temperature water. The difficulty to draw the mixture into a syringe was assessed on a scale of 1 (very easy) to 10 (impossible). If the prepared mixture was syringeable, released morphine was measured analytically. Results: Crushed and cut morphine ARER tablets formed a viscous material when subjected to a liquid environment and were rated as “impossible to syringe” in ≤5 mL water and were slightly syringeable in 10 mL water. In contrast, all syringeability tests of crushed ER morphine were rated as “very easy to syringe”. After 30 min in room temperature water, crushed ER morphine released 75% morphine whereas intact, cut, and crushed morphine ARER tablets released a maximum of 12%, 12%, and 5% of the total morphine content. Heating extractions resulted in increased morphine release. Conclusion: The difficulty to syringe morphine ARER when manipulated suggests that morphine ARER has abuse-deterrent properties that may deter intravenous abuse.

A comparative estimation of the morphine content of the ayurvedic formulation ʻKamini Vidrawan Rasʼ using validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques

The separation and estimation of natural products by chromatographic techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) are wide...

Determination of morphine in culinary poppy seed tea extractions using high performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

ABSTRACTThis study assesses the morphine content of different preparations of poppy seed tea using an acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection method. Four ‘model’ teas were prepared utilizing extractants commonly described in online drug forums and compared with a ‘control’ solution containing acetic acid. High performance liquid chromatography, coupled with acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection, was able to determine that significant concentrations of morphine can be extracted from the culinary poppy seeds with all four tea extractants (between 155 µg/g and 223 µg/g). The results of this study provide a process of determining the presence of morphine in a range of different poppy seed tea extracts in a fast, efficient and selective manner. This protocol will afford better understanding of the extent of poppy seed tea extracts in the community and allow for extension of forensic practice.

Molecular diversity and phytochemical variability in the Iranian poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.): A baseline for conservation and utilization in future breeding programmes

In the present investigation, 72 accessions of the Iranian poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) were analyzed for genetic diversity and population structure using start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers along with four important phytochemical traits to provide baseline knowledge for the Iranian poppy’s breeding and conservation plans. Twelve ISSR and thirteen SCoT primers generated a total of 98 and 186 fragments with a mean of 8.17 and 14.31 fragments per primer, respectively. Polymorphic information content for ISSR and SCoT primers ranged from 0.39 to 0.45 and 0.28 to 0.34, with the resolving power ranging from 21.61 to 3.97 and 13.08 to 28.02, respectively. Neighbour-joining (NJ) based clustering grouped 72 accessions into three main groups based on two markers studied (ISSR and SCoT) and the combined data (ISSR + SCoT), which associated with their eco-geographical regions. Population structure based analysis divided 72 accessions into 3 subpopulations using ISSR markers, when SCoT was used eight subpopulations were observed. However, when the combined data was used only three subpopulations were found, which corresponded to the grouping observed with the NJ method and these results were supported by principal coordinate analyses (PCoA). Phytochemical analysis revealed that plant capsule has higher total amounts of the alkaloids; thebaine, morphine and oripavine than stem tissues. Interestingly, for the geographical parameters, latitude showed a significant and positive correlation with thebaine extracted from both stem and capsules and the regression results confirmed these associations. Taken together, our results indicated that three populations Ploor, Eil-Teymoor and Anjomane due to their high contents of alkaloids like thebaine as well as the Taham population due to its high content of morphine and oripavine have a strong enough potency to be used in the pharmacy industry.