It looks like some people have given a very negative impression of growing kratom in the United States. A new indole alkaloid, 3-dehydromitragynine, was discovered in the fresh leaves (Houghton and Said 1986). Several of these alkaloids also occur in other species (e.g., Mitragyna parvifolia) (Jansen and Prast 1988, 115; Shellard 1974, 1983). In recent times, kratom has become popular for recreational purposes, because of the pleasant effects the leaves of this plant can have.

Given the DEA's recent delay in designating kratom as a Schedule I substance, the translation of these findings to clinical practice is of imminent importance as researchers are searching for ways to treat pain and addiction while addressing the opioid epidemic.

In Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Burma (Myanmar), the leaves are chewed as a substitute for opium, as they cause hallucinations and euphoria. Kratom 15x is similar to the Thai lyophilized Kratom extract but has comparatively more euphoric effects.

Methods: In the current study, the in vitro and in vivo effects of M. speciosa methanolic, aqueous and total alkaloid leaves extracts on drug metabolizing enzymes, namely, cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) had been evaluated in rat liver cytosolic fraction and microsomes.

In order to alleviate these unpleasant conditions, kratom users usually attempt wholesale kratom to work strenuously, drink ice water, take cold shower, eat sour fruit, and try to sleep it out (Assanangkornchai et al., 2006 ). It has been hypothesised that kratom users in Southeast Asia are better able to tolerate high levels of kratom use on a regular basis (Jansen & Prast, 1988a ). However, more clinical studies are needed to determine the chronic toxic effects of kratom in humans.

There is also no evidence to suggest that kratom users engage in risky HIV and or criminal behaviours (Singh et al., 2015 ). In Thailand, people often preferred a kratom†using son†in†law, rather than an alcohol†using one, since the use of the latter often destroys friendships and cause accidents and quarrels (Saingam et al., 2012 ).

Azizi J, Ismail S, Mansor SM. Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves extracts induced the CYP450 catalyzed aminopyrine-N-demethylase (APND) and UDP glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) activities in male Sprague- Dawley rat livers. Field, E. (1921), ‘Mitragynine and mitraversine, two new alkaloids from species of Mitragyne', Journal of the Chemical Society.