Mitragyna diversifolia, also known as Mitragyna javanica, is a tree species found in Asia, belonging to the family Rubiaceae, and closely related to Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). Although it shares many known alkaloids with other trees in its family, several alkaloids are unique to Mitragyna javanica including mitrajavine and 3-isoajmalicine. The Catalogue of Life lists no subspecies.
Description
Mitragyna diversifolia is a deciduous under-story tree, that reaches up to 15 m in height. The branches are angled and cylindrical. The leaves are ovate-oblong to elliptic-ovate, averaging 146 × 93 mm in size, obtuse apex to shortly acuminate. The yellow corolla has white lobes. The fruit in the form of a capsule of 3–4 mm.Mitragyna diversifolia in Flora of China
Distribution It is distributed through the forests of China (Yunnan), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Uses The genus mitragyna has been used traditionally to alleviate symptoms of fever, coughing, diarrhea, muscular pain and deworming, although antioxidant and antimicrobial properties have also been found. Typically these are consumed as a whole leaf or powder form, although gel-capsules, containing powder, are also used. Mitragyna diversifolia has been shown to possess pharmacological antidiarrheal properties, as well as analgesic properties.
Phytochemicals Mitragyna diversifolia leaf contains the alkaloids 7-hydroxy-isopaynantheine, 3-dehydro-paynantheine, 3-isopaynantheine-N(4)- oxide, mitrafoline, mitradiversifoline, specionoxeine-N(4)-oxide, specionoxeine-N(4)-oxide.
Gallery
References
Haviland GD (1897) Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany 33: 71. WCSP: World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
External links
IPNI: Mitragyna diversifolia (accessed 2/7/2017)