Introduction
Kratom, a plant from Southeast Asia, contains two important compounds: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Let's explore the differences between these alkaloids and learn about their properties and importance in kratom research.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Mitragynine | 7-Hydroxymitragynine |
|---|---|---|
| Abundance | High (40-66% of total alkaloids) | Low (trace amounts, <0.05%) |
| Chemical Structure | No hydroxyl group at 7th position | Hydroxyl group at 7th position |
| Potency | Lower | 13 times more potent |
| Metabolism | Converted to 7-hydroxymitragynine in the body | Direct action, less stable |
| Pharmacology | Complex, interacts with multiple receptors | Primarily interacts with opioid receptors |
| Property | Mitragynine | 7-Hydroxymitragynine | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abundance in kratom | High (40-66% of total alkaloids) | Low (trace amounts) | Higher |
| Chemical structure | No hydroxyl group at 7th position | Hydroxyl group (-OH) at 7th position | Different |
| Potency | Lower | Higher | Lower |
| Origin | Naturally occurring in kratom | Naturally occurring in kratom | Same |
Chemical Structure and Origin
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are both found in the kratom plant. Mitragynine is more common, making up about 40-60% of the total alkaloids. 7-Hydroxymitragynine is present in much smaller amounts.
The main difference in their structure is that 7-hydroxymitragynine has a hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 7th position, which mitragynine doesn't have. This small change makes a big difference in how they work in the body. The hydroxyl group helps 7-hydroxymitragynine cross the blood-brain barrier more easily, making it more potent.
Abundance in Kratom
Mitragynine is much more common in kratom leaves than 7-hydroxymitragynine. Mitragynine can make up to 66% of the total alkaloids in some kratom types. 7-Hydroxymitragynine is only present in very small amounts, usually less than 0.05% of the total alkaloids.
The amount of these compounds can change depending on how the plant is grown, when it's harvested, and how it's processed. Different kratom strains can have different amounts of these compounds, which can affect their properties.
How They Work in the Body
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine work differently in the body. Mitragynine interacts with many different receptors, while 7-hydroxymitragynine mainly interacts with opioid receptors.
Mitragynine affects various receptors in the body, including opioid receptors, but also others like adrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic receptors. 7-Hydroxymitragynine mostly interacts with opioid receptors, especially mu-opioid receptors.
Strength Comparison
7-Hydroxymitragynine is much stronger than mitragynine. Studies have shown it can be up to 13 times more powerful in certain tests.
This difference in strength is because of how these compounds interact with receptors in the body. Even though there's only a small difference in their structure, it makes a big difference in their effects. Because 7-hydroxymitragynine is so strong, even tiny amounts can have a big impact on kratom's properties. That's why some kratom products are made to have specific amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine.
How the Body Processes Them
The body handles mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine differently. Mitragynine actually turns into 7-hydroxymitragynine in the body through a process called metabolism.
This change happens mostly in the liver, and it works better in humans than in some other animals. So when someone takes mitragynine, some of it turns into 7-hydroxymitragynine in their body. 7-Hydroxymitragynine is generally absorbed better by the body because it can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily.
Stability and Breakdown
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine also differ in how stable they are. Mitragynine generally lasts longer, while 7-hydroxymitragynine breaks down more easily.
Studies have found that 7-hydroxymitragynine can break down up to 27% in fake stomach acid and up to 6% in fake intestinal fluid. This means that 7-hydroxymitragynine might not last as long in the body as mitragynine. Understanding how stable these compounds are is important for making kratom products and figuring out how long kratom's effects last in the body.
How Scientists Detect Them
Scientists use different methods to find and measure mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in samples. These methods are important for research and making sure kratom products are good quality.
One common method is called HPLC-DAD (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection). This method can detect very small amounts of these compounds, as little as 0.25 micrograms per milliliter for mitragynine. Other advanced techniques like liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) are also used to measure these alkaloids more precisely. These methods are crucial for ensuring kratom products are consistent and high-quality, and for advancing scientific research in this field.
Research and Development
Scientists are very interested in studying mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. They want to understand how these compounds work and how they might be useful.
Current research is looking at how these compounds interact with the body and how they compare to other similar substances. This research could help us understand more about different types of kratom and related plants. Scientists are exploring the properties of these alkaloids. They're also trying to find ways to enhance their beneficial properties while reducing any potential risks or side effects.
Conclusion
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are two important compounds in kratom. They're similar in some ways, but they have key differences in their structure, how much of them is in kratom, how strong they are, and how the body processes them.
Understanding these differences is important for scientists studying kratom and for companies making kratom products. As research continues, we might learn even more about these interesting compounds and how they could be used. These studies are not only helping us understand kratom better but also adding to our knowledge about how plants and drugs work in general.
Remember, it's always important to follow local laws about kratom and its compounds. If you want to learn more about kratom and similar plants, check out our other articles on Mitragyna javanica and Mitragyna hirsuta. These related plants can teach us more about the Mitragyna family and how they might be used.