Accelerated Solvent Extractions (ASE) of Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (Kratom) Leaves: Evaluation of Its Cytotoxicity and Antinociceptive Activity

Mitragyna speciosa Korth (kratom) is known for its psychoactive and analgesic properties. Mitragynine is the primary constituent present in kratom leaves. This study highlights the utilisation of the green accelerated solvent extraction technique to produce a better, non-toxic and antinociceptive active botanical extract of kratom. ASE M. speciosa extract had a dry yield (0.53-2.91 g) and showed a constant mitragynine content (6.53-7.19%) when extracted with organic solvents of different polarities. It only requires a shorter extraction time (5 min) and a reduced amount of solvents (less than 100 mL). A substantial amount of total phenolic (407.83 +/- 2.50 GAE mg/g and flavonoids (194.00 +/- 5.00 QE mg/g) were found in ASE kratom ethanol extract. The MTT test indicated that the ASE kratom ethanolic leaf extract is non-cytotoxic towards HEK-293 and HeLa Chang liver cells. In mice, ASE kratom ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg) demonstrated a better antinociceptive effect compared to methanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts. The presence of bioactive indole alkaloids and flavonols such as mitragynine, paynantheine, quercetin, and rutin in ASE kratom ethanolic leaf extract was detected using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis supports its antinociceptive properties. ASE ethanolic leaf extract offers a better, safe, and cost-effective choice of test botanical extract for further preclinical studies.

Automated summary

The study utilized the green accelerated solvent extraction technique to produce a better, non-toxic, and antinociceptive active botanical extract of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). The extract had a short extraction time and required a reduced amount of solvents. It contained a substantial amount of total phenolic and flavonoids, and was found to be non-cytotoxic to HEK-293 and HeLa Chang liver cells. In mice, the extract showed a better antinociceptive effect compared to other extracts, supporting its potential as a safe and cost-effective choice for further preclinical studies.