While not as “popular” as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloid mitraphylline is a very important kratom compound. You will often hear that plants get their therapeutic properties from their active compounds. These active compounds are chemicals (or phytochemicals, which means “plants’ chemicals”). And they include terpenes, polyphenols, or alkaloids. Very often, scientists research the properties and effects of these phytochemicals. And thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, this alkaloid also enhances kratom pain-relieving effects. Keep reading this article to learn more about the effects and properties of mitraphylline.
What Is an Alkaloid?
Before digging into the properties and effects of the alkaloid mitraphylline, let’s explain what an alkaloid is. An alkaloid is an organic, naturally occurring compound that contains nitrogen and has physiological effects on humans and other animals. All alkaloids contain at least one atom of hydrogen. But they may also contain carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen. Popular alkaloids include nicotine, morphine, or quinine.
The scientific community used to think that alkaloid production was exclusive to plants. However, now we know that fungi, bacteria, and even animals can also produce alkaloids. Nevertheless, plant-derived alkaloids remain the most popular subject of scientific research.
Alkaloids Uses and Effects
The number of health benefits of alkaloids is huge, and their effects include:
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antitumor
- Anti-cancer
- Antibacterial
- Vasodilatory
- Anxiolytic
- Relaxing
- Anti-asthma
- Stimulant
Some alkaloids can also have psychoactive effects, which is why many recreational drugs are derived from plants.
Thanks to their effects, alkaloids are often active ingredients in many drugs and medications.
Properties and Effects of the Alkaloid Mitraphyllline
Mitraphylline is an oxindole alkaloid; you can learn more about oxindole alkaloids in this article. The alkaloid mitraphylline is a potent natural anti-inflammatory and thanks to its effects it has gained the attention of many scientists.
Mitraphylline inhibits the inflammatory action of proinflammatory cytokines. These cytokines contribute to the body’s inflammatory reactions and may also be linked to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or psoriasis. Hence, this alkaloid also plays a very important role in kratom’s analgesic effects.
Moreover, according to a study by the University of Seville, mitraphylline may also reduce both the number and the movements of monocytes. Monocytes are white blood cells (or leukocytes). An excessive number of monocytes can be related to autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. But due to these antiproliferative effects, mitraphylline can also have promising effects in cancer and tumor treatment.
What Plants Contain the Alkaloid Mitraphylline?
Unlike mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloid mitraphylline is not exclusive to kratom. But even so, there are not so many plants that contain this alkaloid. And all these plants are in the Rubiaceae family, such as kratom or Mitragyna hirsuta. However, the plant with the highest levels of mitraphylline is cat’s claw. Below we will show you the most popular plants that contain mitraphylline.
Cat’s Claw (Uncaria Tormentosa)
Most of the scientific research on mitraphylline focuses on cat’s claw (Uncaria tormentosa). Cat’s claw is a vine originally native to the Peruvian rainforest that now also grows all across South, Central, and North America. It gets the name cat’s claw because its hooks resemble the claws of a cat.
The history of cat’s claw dates back to the Inca empire, where it may have been a remedy for inflammation, viral infections, or even for contraception. Today, cat’s claw has become a popular remedy to relieve the symptoms of:
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis
Cat’s claw effects and properties include:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic
- Antioxidant
- Immune system booster
- Anticancer
- Antitumor
It is thanks to all these therapeutic properties that there are so many studies focused on the effectiveness of cat’s claw to treat or relieve many ailments conditions.
Mitragyna Hirsuta
Mitragyna hirsuta is a very popular kratom alternative, especially in those places where kratom is not legal. But unlike kratom, Mitragyna hirsuta does not contain mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, kratom’s most potent alkaloids. Instead, the effects of this plant come mainly from mitraphylline.
This tree in the Rubiaceae family is indigenous to Southeast Asia and grows in Cambodia, Vietnam, China, or Malaysia. As you can guess, Mitragyna hirsuta is also in the Mitragyna genus and its effects are similar to the effects of kratom, although usually a bit milder. The effects of Mitragyna hirsuta include:
- Pain-relieving
- Anti-inflammatory
- Stimulating
- Relaxing
- Uplifting
Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa)
In the last few years, kratom has become an incredibly popular product. According to the American Kratom Association, millions of people consume kratom to cope with:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Opiate withdrawal symptoms
- Low energy
Even though mitraphylline is one of kratom’s alkaloids, the effects of kratom are mainly due to mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. But these two alkaloids are also very much related to kratom’s controversy. Both mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine exert their actions on the opioid receptors. The opioid receptors get this name because they are activated by opioids. That is why many people think that kratom is also an opioid, even though there are many other substances that also activate or bind to the opiate receptors. Nevertheless, the effects of kratom depend on the rest of its chemical compounds. The alkaloid mitraphylline is part of these other compounds that are also very important in the kratom effects that you will feel and how kratom will affect you.
These herbal products also have side effects and could even interact with other plants or medications. Hence, it is very recommendable that you research how they work before you start using them. The alkaloid mitraphylline can be very beneficial, but you should also be cautious to avoid side effects and other consequences to your health.
