Chronic mitragynine (kratom) enhances punishment resistance in natural reward seeking and impairs place learning in mice. (17th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ismail, Nurul Iman W.; Jayabalan, Nanthini; Mansor, Sharif Mahsufi; Müller, Christian P.; Muzaimi, Mustapha
• Is Part Of: Addiction biology. Volume 22:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 967
• Page End: 976
• Publication Date: 2016-03-17
• Subjects: kratom -- mitragynine -- morphine -- place learning -- sucrose preference -- Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC); Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/adb.12385
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6215

Abstract

Abstract: Kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa ) is a widely abused herbal drug preparation in Southeast Asia. It is often consumed as a substitute for heroin, but imposing itself unknown harms and addictive burdens. Mitragynine is the major psychostimulant constituent of kratom that has recently been reported to induce morphine‐like behavioural and cognitive effects in rodents. The effects of chronic consumption on non‐drug related behaviours are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic mitragynine treatment on spontaneous activity, reward‐related behaviour and cognition in mice in an IntelliCage® system, and compared them with those of morphine and Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We found that chronic mitragynine treatment significantly potentiated horizontal exploratory activity. It enhanced spontaneous sucrose preference and also its persistence when the preference had aversive consequences. Furthermore, mitragynine impaired place learning and its reversal. Thereby, mitragynine effects closely resembled that of morphine and THC sensitisation. These findings suggest that chronic mitragynine exposure enhances spontaneous locomotor activity and the preference for natural rewards, but impairs learning and memory. These findings confirm pleiotropic effects of mitragynine (kratom) on human lifestyle, but may also support the recognition of the drug's harm potential. Abstract : This study investigated the effects of chronic mitragynine treatment on spontaneous activity, reward‐related behaviour, and cognition in mice using an IntelliCage® system, and compared with morphine and ▵‐9‐tetrahydorcannabinol(THC). A chronic mitragynine significantly potentiated spontaneous locomotor activity, enhanced spontaneous sucrose preference and also its persistence when the preference had aversive consequences, and impaired place learning and its reversal. These effects closely resembled that of morphine‐ and THC‐ sensitisation.