Assessment of gonadotropins and testosterone hormone levels in regular Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) users

Publication date: 15 July 2018
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 221
Author(s): Darshan Singh, Vikneswaran Murugaiyah, Shahrul Bariyah Sahul Hamid, Vicknasingam Kasinather, Michelle Su Ann Chan, Eric Tatt Wei Ho, Oliver Grundmann, Nelson Jeng Yeou Chear, Sharif Mahsufi Mansor
Ethnopharmacological relevanceMitragyna speciosa (Korth.) also known as kratom, is a native medicinal plant of Southeast Asia with opioid-like effects. Kratom tea/juice have been traditionally used as a folk remedy and for controlling opiate withdrawal in Malaysia. Long-term opioid use is associated with depletion in testosterone levels.Aim of the studySince kratom is reported to deform sperm morphology and reduce sperm motility, we aimed to clinically investigate the testosterone levels following long-term kratom tea/juice use in regular kratom users.MethodsA total of 19 regular kratom users were recruited for this cross-sectional study. A full-blood test was conducted including determination of testosterone level, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) profile, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters of participants.ResultsWe found long-term kratom tea/juice consumption with a daily mitragynine dose of 76.23–94.15 mg did not impair testosterone levels, or gonadotrophins, hematological and biochemical parameters in regular kratom users.ConclusionRegular kratom tea/juice consumption over prolonged periods (>2 years) was not associated with testosterone impairing effects in humans.

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