Chemical Info

Chemistry:

Like many of its sister plants found in Family Rubiaceae, the chemistry of
Kratom is extremely complex and, despite scientific attention over the last
century, still far from any definitive characterization. Kratom embodies no
less than two dozen organic compounds of interest, with probably many more
yet to be identified. However a comprehensive understanding of their
biochemical roles, *in vivo* or *in vitreo, *remains tantalizingly elusive.
In particular, the study of how these compounds act independently as well as
synergistically, catalytically, and antagonistically in concert has barely
begun.

Chemicals of special interest usually present in most strains of Kratom
include but are not limited to: *Ajmalicine (Raubasine), Corynantheidine,
Corynoxeine, Corynoxine A and B, (-)-Epicatechin, 9-Hydroxycorynantheidine,
7-Hydroxymitragynine, Isomitraphylline, Isopteropodine, Mitragynine,
Mitraphylline, Paynantheine, Rhynchophylline, Speciociliatine, Speciogynine,
Speciophylline, and Tetrahydroalstonine.*

Kratom chemistry is notoriously variegated. The precise chemical make-up as
well as the actual compound ratios of any given Kratom leaf exhibit strong
dependence not only upon where, when, and how it is grown but also upon the
exact age of the parent plant along with its botanical heritage. While
Mitragynine, an indole, frequently appears as the most abundant alkaloid,
various oxindoles are also usually present.

Recent findings of an atypical structure in several indoles, when compared
with other monoterpenoids, appear to have been premature. Such developments
only serve to emphasize the need for further research throughout the entire
field of Kratom chemistry.