Acute and Sub-Chronic Oral Toxicity of Kratom leaves aqueous extract in Wistar rats: Acute and Sub-chronic Oral Toxicity of Kratom leaves aqueous extract

Passaraporn Srimangkornkaew; Kittigan Suwannasaroj; Aunchalee Sirimontaporn

Authors

Passaraporn Srimangkornkaew National Laboratory Animal Center, Mahidol University
Kittigan Suwannasaroj National Laboratory Animal Center, Mahidol University
Aunchalee Sirimontaporn National Laboratory Animal Center, Mahidol University

Keywords:

Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil., Kratom leaves aqueous extract, Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity

Abstract

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil. is widely used in pharmaceutical and medical applications, including food or dietary supplements. Toxicological testing data for Kratom has been less conducted in Thailand, although Kratom can be easily traded at present. This study aimed to assess the acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity of Kratom leaves aqueous extract in Wistar rats to obtain useful information for product registration, including confidence and product safety for consumers. The results showed the doses at 300 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight did not cause acute toxicity and mortalities in animals, thus Kratom leaves aqueous extract was classified in GHS (Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) category 5 or unclassified, with the LD₅₀ cut off at 5,000–∞ mg/kg body weight of the animal. The sub-chronic oral toxicity testing was investigated at 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg body weight. It was concluded that the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of Kratom leaves aqueous extract was 1,000 mg/kg body weight of the animal. From this study, the toxicity profile of Kratom leaves aqueous extract provided valuable data that was essential and could be supported for future studies, especially the toxicity study of Kratom product, which was produced and sold in Thailand. In the future, chronic toxicity studies will be emphasized to evaluate its safety and long-term effects.

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Acute and Sub-Chronic Oral Toxicity of Kratom leaves aqueous extract in Wistar rats