Abstract
Mitragynine, a major constituent of the young leaves of Mitragyna speciosa KORTH., has been reported to exert antinociceptive activity in mice. To determine the mechanism the influence of mitragynine on cAMP content was measured in NG108-15 cells which possess δ opioid receptors and α2B-adrenoceptors. Mitragynine inhibited the forskolin-stimulated cAMP content in a concentration dependent manner as well as morphine and noradrenaline. Mitragynine- and morphine-induced inhibition of cAMP content were blocked by naloxone. Although idazoxane inhibited noradrenaline-induced inhibition of the cAMP content, idazoxane had no effect on mitragynine-induced inhibition. These results suggest that mitragynine acts directly on opioid receptors, but not on α2-adrenoceptors, to show antinociceptive activity.
