Mitragynine
Mitragynine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with the molecular formula C23H30N2O4 that occurs naturally in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, where it is the predominant alkaloid.
- Molecular formula
- C23H30N2O4
- Systematic name
- Pending verification
- Natural abundance
- Predominant
What is Mitragynine?
Mitragynine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with the molecular formula C23H30N2O4 that occurs naturally in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, where it is the predominant alkaloid.
Where does Mitragynine occur naturally?
Mitragynine occurs in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tree in the Rubiaceae family native to Southeast Asia. It is consistently reported as the most abundant alkaloid in the leaf alkaloid fraction.
How is Mitragynine related to the other Mitragyna alkaloids?
Mitragynine shares its indole scaffold with a family of naturally occurring diastereomers and analogues in Mitragyna speciosa, including speciociliatine, speciogynine, and paynantheine.
Structure and chemistry
Mitragynine belongs to the corynanthe class of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. Its structure combines an indole nucleus with a quinolizidine ring system and bears a methoxy group on the aromatic ring and a beta-methoxyacrylate side chain.
As a member of the Mitragyna alkaloid family, it is structurally related to a group of diastereomers and analogues that share the same indole scaffold and differ in stereochemistry or oxidation state.
Mitragynine compared with related alkaloids
| Alkaloid | Molecular formula | Systematic name (IUPAC) | Natural abundance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitragynine | C23H30N2O4 | Pending verification | Predominant |
| Speciociliatine | C23H30N2O4 | Pending verification | Minor |
| Paynantheine | C23H28N2O4 | Pending verification | Second most abundant |
| Speciogynine | C23H30N2O4 | Pending verification | Minor |
Related alkaloids
Sources
Reviewed for scientific accuracy on 2026-07-15. This entry describes chemical structure and natural occurrence only.