Increasing separation efficiency by pH adjustment in Centrifugal Partition Chromatography
NewsWhat is Mitragynine?
Mitragynine (MTR), a prominent alkaloid found in Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract, plays a significant role in the botanical known as “kratom.” This plant, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, has garnered extensive attention in recent years due to its remarkable biological effects. Notably, MTR acts as a partial agonist on opioid receptors, offering pain relief without the well-documented side effects associated with conventional opioids used in clinical practice. This unique property positions mitragynine and its derivatives as promising candidates in drug research and development.
Originating from Thailand and Malaysia, kratom has a long history of traditional use in South Asia. For centuries, people have consumed kratom leaves in the form of tea or by directly chewing freshly harvested leaves to address various ailments. The plant possesses stimulating and analgesic properties, making it a popular choice for regular use. In lower doses, kratom exhibits energizing effects that can enhance physical endurance, while higher doses can lead to adverse effects and potentially induce withdrawal symptoms.
The challenge in extracting mitragynine lies in the presence of closely related alkaloids in the Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract, aside from the primary Compound of Interest (CoI), which is mitragynine itself. These additional compounds, including speciogynine (SG), speciociliatine (SC), and paynantheine (PM), coexist with the CoI in the extract. Separating the CoI from these surrounding alkaloids traditionally requires a multi-step process to achieve desired purity.
Efficiently isolating mitragynine from the mixture of alkaloids poses a significant hurdle in the extraction process. Researchers and scientists are constantly exploring innovative techniques and methods to streamline the separation and purification of mitragynine, aiming to enhance its utility in drug development and optimize its therapeutic potential.
Mitragynine Purification with CPC
The purification of mitragynine, with a focus on obtaining a highly pure product containing a substantial amount of the Compound of Interest, is a crucial objective in research and development. In this regard, Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) proves to be particularly advantageous. For the specific study mentioned, the researchers utilized a RotaChrom CPC device, which was generously provided by RotaChrom Ltd. based in Dabas, Hungary. The isolation and purification of mitragynine from kratom extract were successfully achieved using CPC.
The study also mentions the utilization of native βCyD (beta-cyclodextrin) and randomly substituted SBEβCyD (hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin with an average substitution degree of approximately 6.5), both of which were products supplied by CycloLab Ltd. located in Budapest, Hungary. To facilitate the experimental procedures, deuterium oxide (D2O) with high isotopic purity (99.9% D) was obtained from Merck in Darmstadt, Germany, while acetic acid-d4 was sourced from Cambridge Isotope Laboratories Inc. in Tewksbury, MA, USA. Additionally, other analytical-grade chemicals from reputable suppliers were used without requiring further purification.
RotaChrom’s pilot-scale device, known as the rCPC, demonstrates its capability to isolate mitragynine from samples with a remarkable purity level of up to 99%. Furthermore, this innovative technology offers cost-effective purification compared to traditional techniques. RotaChrom’s groundbreaking solution enables the direct purification of mitragynine from crude extracts, accomplishing this in a few streamlined steps and in an economically efficient manner. This advancement in mitragynine purification presents a significant contribution to the field, as it simplifies the process and enhances the scalability and affordability of producing high-quality mitragynine for various applications.
Further Resources
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