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

• Main Authors: Singh, D., Murugaiyah, V., Hamid, S.B.S., Kasinather, V., Chan, M.S.A., Ho, E.T.W., Grundmann, O., Chear, N.J.Y., Mansor, S.M.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ireland Ltd 2018
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045758004&doi=10.1016%2fj.jep.2018.04.005&partnerID=40&md5=c77802ce43bbe5334f3b4612657c061e; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/20803/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Mitragyna 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 study: Since 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. Methods: A 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. Results: We 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. Conclusion: Regular kratom tea/juice consumption over prolonged periods (>2 years) was not associated with testosterone impairing effects in humans. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.