Thailand Medical Researchers Explore the Use of Kratom to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

Thailand Medical: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and devastating neurodegenerative condition that erodes memory, cognition, and daily functionality. Affecting over 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older, this debilitating disorder is expected to skyrocket to over 153 million cases globally by 2050. Despite the availability of medications such as Donepezil and Memantine, which provide only symptomatic relief, there remains no cure or treatment capable of reversing or halting the disease's progression. A new study sheds light on a potential breakthrough involving Mitragyna speciosa, a Southeast Asian plant better known as kratom, offering new hope in the fight against this disease.


Thailand Medical Researchers Explore the Use of Kratom to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

What is Mitragyna Speciosa?
Mitragyna speciosa is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, recognized for its traditional use in pain relief, cough management, and hypertension treatment. The plant, belonging to the coffee family (Rubiaceae), has also been utilized as a morphine substitute for addiction recovery in local practices. Known as ‘kratom’ in Thailand and ‘ketom’ in Malaysia, the plant is rich in bioactive compounds with a range of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, and neuroprotective effects. This potential therapeutic arsenal inspired researchers to investigate its possible benefits for Alzheimer’s disease.
 
A team of scientists from Walailak University in Thailand explored how Mitragyna speciosa could target the root causes of Alzheimer’s disease. This Thailand Medical news report delves into their study, its findings, and what it could mean for Alzheimer’s patients worldwide.
 
The Research Approach
The researchers adopted a multifaceted approach, combining advanced computational methods with laboratory experiments to study the plant’s compounds. Techniques such as network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to identify potential therapeutic interactions between the plant’s bioactive compounds and Alzheimer’s-related proteins. The study also included in vitro experiments to validate the findings in a controlled laboratory environment.
 
Identifying Key Compounds
The study focused on 19 phytochemical compounds extracted from Mitragyna speciosa, including acetylursolic acid, beta-sitosterol, isomitraphylline, and speciophylline. These compounds were selected for their adherence to Lipinski’s Rule of Five, which ensures drug-like properties, and underwent rigorous toxicity screening to confirm their safety.
 
Targeting Alzheimer’s Proteins
The research pinpointed 60 key proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease as potential targets of Mitragyna speciosa compounds. These proteins play crucial roles in the disease’s progression, particularly in the formation of tau tangles and beta-amyloid plaques - two hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer’s.
 
Molecular docking studies revealed that the plant’s compounds had high binding affinities for proteins such as AKT1, GSK3B, NFκB1, and BACE1. These proteins are integral to neuronal survival, inflammation, and the pathological aggregation of tau and beta-amyloid.
 
Results of the Study
-Reducing Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a major contributor to neuronal damage in Alzheimer’s disease. The study demonstrated that extracts of Mitragyna speciosa significantly reduced oxidative stress in neuronal cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a common oxidative stress model. The ethanolic (EE), distilled water (DWE), and pressurized hot water (PHWE) extracts of the plant were all effective, with the ethanolic extract showing the highest potency.
 
-Neuroprotection in Cell Models
Using SH-SY5Y neuronal cells, the researchers created a model of oxidative stress by exposing the cells to hydrogen peroxide. Pre-treatment with Mitragyna speciosa extracts significantly improved cell survival and reduced oxidative damage. The extracts not only enhanced cell viability but also decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating strong neuroprotective effects.
 
-Bioactive Richness
The study highlighted the abundance of neuroprotective compounds in Mitragyna speciosa, including alkaloids, phenolics, and flavonoids. These compounds are known for their antioxidant properties, which neutralize free radicals and protect neurons from oxidative damage. Among the extracts tested, the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest concentrations of these beneficial compounds.
 
-Molecular Pathway Insights
The research also identified critical pathways through which the plant’s compounds exert their effects. These pathways included the inhibition of tau hyperphosphorylation, reduction of beta-amyloid aggregation, and modulation of inflammatory responses. Additionally, the compounds were found to improve glucose metabolism and reduce neuronal inflammation, both of which are disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease.
 
-The Promise of a Multi-Target Approach
One of the most exciting aspects of this study is the multi-target approach of Mitragyna speciosa. Unlike conventional medications that often focus on a single pathway, the plant’s compounds interact with multiple proteins and pathways simultaneously. This comprehensive approach addresses not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease.
 
By targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein aggregation, Mitragyna speciosa offers a holistic strategy for managing the disease. This is particularly important given the complex and multifactorial nature of Alzheimer’s, which involves genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
 
A Glimpse into the Future
The findings from this study are a promising step toward developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. However, further research is needed to confirm these results in human trials and to determine the optimal dosage and formulation for therapeutic use. The researchers emphasize that while the results are encouraging, Mitragyna speciosa should not be considered a standalone solution but rather a complementary approach alongside existing treatments.
 
Conclusion
The study conducted by researchers from Walailak University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Chittagong underscores the potential of Mitragyna speciosa as a natural, multi-target treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. By reducing oxidative stress, preventing protein aggregation, and modulating inflammation, the plant’s compounds could pave the way for more effective therapies. This holistic approach, coupled with its natural origin, makes it a promising candidate for future drug development.
 
Although much work remains to be done, including clinical trials and regulatory approval, the findings offer a beacon of hope for millions of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Mitragyna speciosa could one day transform how we approach this devastating condition, providing a natural, safe, and effective alternative to current treatments.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/23/13201
 
For the latest on Alzheimer’s Disease, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/herpes-simplex-virus-and-its-surprising-link-to-major-diseases-like-diabetes-and-alzheimer-s-disease
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/alzheimer-s-disease-and-the-role-of-nadph-oxidase-enzymes
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/alzheimer,-dementia-
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/researchers-claim-kratom-usage-to-treat-addiction-and-pain-is-unsafe-and-there-is-risk-of-liver-injury
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/herbs-and-phytochemicals

https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/thailand-medical