Paynantheine

What is Paynantheine?

Paynantheine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with the molecular formula C23H28N2O4 that occurs naturally in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, where it is commonly reported as the second most abundant alkaloid after mitragynine.

Where does Paynantheine occur naturally?

Paynantheine occurs in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) and is frequently reported as the second most abundant alkaloid in the leaf alkaloid fraction, after mitragynine.

What is the molecular formula of Paynantheine?

Paynantheine has the molecular formula C23H28N2O4.

Is Paynantheine found in kratom?

Paynantheine is one of the naturally occurring alkaloids in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, the tree commonly known as kratom.

How is Paynantheine identified?

Paynantheine is identified and measured by chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of the leaf alkaloid fraction, which resolves it from the other Mitragyna alkaloids.

How is Paynantheine related to mitragynine?

Paynantheine and mitragynine are both monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Mitragyna speciosa that share the same indole scaffold; Paynantheine has the molecular formula C23H28N2O4 and mitragynine has the molecular formula C23H30N2O4.

Structure and chemistry

Paynantheine shares the corynanthe indole scaffold of mitragynine and differs by an additional degree of unsaturation in the side chain, which is reflected in its molecular formula having two fewer hydrogen atoms.

It is grouped with the other Mitragyna alkaloids as a naturally occurring analogue that co-elutes with mitragynine in leaf extracts and is resolved by chromatographic analysis.

Paynantheine compared with related alkaloids

Related alkaloids

• Mitragynine
• Speciociliatine
• Speciogynine

Sources

1. [1]Quantification of major indole alkaloids in Mitragyna speciosa leaf (review)