José Luis Vázquez López1, Lorenz Schild2, Thomas Günther3, Stefan Schulz3, Hartmud Neurath4, Axel Becker5. 1. Otto-von-Guericke University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. 2. Otto-von-Guericke-University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathobiochemistry, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. 3. Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena University Hospital, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Drackendorfer Str. 1, 07747 Jena, Germany. 4. Center of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Georg August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. 5. Otto-von-Guericke University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. Electronic address: axel.becker@med.ovgu.de.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mitragyna speciosa and its extracts are called kratom (dried leaves, extract). They contain several alkaloids with an affinity for different opioid receptors. They are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of different diseases, as a substitute by opiate addicts, and to mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Apart from their medical properties, they are used to enhance physical endurance and as a means of overcoming stress. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of kratom on restraint-stress-induced analgesia which occurs during or following exposure to a stressful or fearful stimulus. METHODS: To gain further insights into the action of kratom on stress, we conducted experiments using restraint stress as a test system and stress-induced analgesia as a test parameter. Using transgenic mu opioid-receptor (MOR) deficient mice, we studied the involvement of this receptor type. We used nor-binaltorphimine (BNT), an antagonist at kappa opioid receptors (KOR), to study functions of this type of receptor. Membrane potential assay was also employed to measure the intrinsic activity of kratom in comparison to U50,488, a highly selective kappa agonist. RESULTS: Treatment with kratom diminished stress-induced analgesia in wildtype and MOR knockout animals. Pretreatment of MOR deficient mice with BNT resulted in similar effects. In comparison to U50,488, kratom exhibited negligible intrinsic activity at KOR alone. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the use of kratom as a pharmacological tool to mitigate withdrawal symptoms is related to its action on KOR.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mitragyna speciosa and its extracts are called kratom (dried leaves, extract). They contain several alkaloids with an affinity for different opioid receptors. They are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of different diseases, as a substitute by opiate addicts, and to mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Apart from their medical properties, they are used to enhance physical endurance and as a means of overcoming stress. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of kratom on restraint-stress-induced analgesia which occurs during or following exposure to a stressful or fearful stimulus. METHODS: To gain further insights into the action of kratom on stress, we conducted experiments using restraint stress as a test system and stress-induced analgesia as a test parameter. Using transgenic mu opioid-receptor (MOR) deficient mice, we studied the involvement of this receptor type. We used nor-binaltorphimine (BNT), an antagonist at kappa opioid receptors (KOR), to study functions of this type of receptor. Membrane potential assay was also employed to measure the intrinsic activity of kratom in comparison to U50,488, a highly selective kappa agonist. RESULTS: Treatment with kratom diminished stress-induced analgesia in wildtype and MOR knockout animals. Pretreatment of MOR deficient mice with BNT resulted in similar effects. In comparison to U50,488, kratom exhibited negligible intrinsic activity at KOR alone. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the use of kratom as a pharmacological tool to mitigate withdrawal symptoms is related to its action on KOR.
Authors: Elisabeth Prevete; Kim Paula Colette Kuypers; Eef Lien Theunissen; Ornella Corazza; Giuseppe Bersani; Johannes Gerardus Ramaekers Journal: Hum Psychopharmacol Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 2.130