mitragynine

noun

mi·​trag·​y·​nine mi-ˈtra-jə-ˌnēn 

: the principal psychoactive indole alkaloid C₂₃H₃₀N₂O₄ that is found in kratom and that binds as an agonist to certain opioid receptors to produce effects (such as analgesia) similar to that of opioids

Kratom contains more than 40 phytochemicals in the class of indole alkaloids, the primary one being mitragynine …

—David Kiefer

Bags of powder line the shelves at Laughing Lion, each with a varying level of mitragynine, the compound that interacts with opioid receptors in the brain, and is said to produce those good feelings, alertness, decreased pain or relaxation, depending on the amount.

—Jennifer Mulson

compare 7-hydroxymitragynine

Examples of mitragynine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the key constituents of kratom is an organic compound called mitragynine. —C. Michael White, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2024

The plant’s potent effects are attributed to its distinct alkaloid profile, which includes higher levels of 7-hydroxy mitragynine and mitragynine compared to other kratom varieties. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024

The main kind of Kratom alkaloid, mitragynine, is a partial agonist for the mu-opioid signals [1]. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024

Two of these alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are especially popular due to their effects. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2022

Those with high metabolic rates and high body fat may feel the effects of kratom faster, as mitragynine is a fat-soluble alkaloid and high metabolic rates coincide with faster body processes, including digestion. —Dallas News, 10 Nov. 2022

Scientists say the main kratom ingredients − mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine − partly activate brain receptors that addictive drugs do. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 27 May 2023

The reason of its tremendous popularity is the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have shown to be extremely strong components. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2022

All of these tablets have 100 milligrams of mitragynine, and they are made with top-quality kratom extract standardized to 45%. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Mitragyna, genus of plants from which the substance is obtained (from Greek mítra "woman's circular headdress" + New Latin -gyna, -gynē "female reproductive organ," borrowed from Greek gynḗ "woman") + -ine entry 2 — more at miter entry 3, queen entry 1

Note: The name mitragynine was introduced by the British biochemist Ellen Field (later Stedman, 1883-1962) in "Mitragynine and Mitraversine, Two New Alkaloids from Species of Mitragyne [sic]," Journal of the Chemical Society, Transactions, vol. 119 (1921), pp. 887-91. The genus name Mitragyna was introduced by the Dutch botanist Pieter Willem Korthals (1807-92) in Observationes de Naucleis Indicis (Bonn, 1839), p. 19. The name apparently alludes to the shape of the stigma, described by Korthals as resembling a mitra ("Stigma mitraforme"). Korthals presumably had in mind the circular headband worn by Greek women and associated with the goddess Demeter, though the word has other meanings (see miter entry 31).

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mitragynine

noun

mi·​trag·​y·​nine mi-ˈtraj-ə-ˌnēn 

: the principal psychoactive indole alkaloid C₂₃H₃₀N₂O₄ that is found in kratom and that binds as an agonist to certain opioid receptors to produce effects (such as analgesia) similar to that of opioids

Withdrawal from chronic mitragynine induces opioid-like somatic withdrawal, locomotor hypersensitivity for further pharmacological stimulation and enhances anxiety levels for up to 48 hours.

—Nurul H. M. Yusoff et al., Addiction Biology

compare 7-hydroxymitragynine