What does this research mean for the field?

Mitragyna speciosa leaf extracts induce concentration-dependent lethality and developmental defects in zebrafish embryos, with methanol maceration extracts exhibiting greater toxicity than ultrasonic-assisted extracts. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to evaluate the toxicity of Mitragyna speciosa leaf extracts using zebrafish embryos.

May 17, 2026

Toxicity assessment of Mitragyna speciosa leaf extracts using zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos and analysis of their Q-TOF LCMS chemical profiles

Key Points

The central aim is to evaluate the toxicity of Mitragyna speciosa leaf extracts using zebrafish embryos.
Used 100% methanol through maceration and ultrasonic-assisted methods to extract leaf compounds.
Assessed acute toxicity following OECD 236 guidelines on zebrafish embryos.
Determined lethal concentration (LC50) for both extraction methods.
100%M extract exhibited greater toxicity with LC50 at 247.67 µg/mL compared to 100%U at 395.26 µg/mL.
Severe impacts noted on hatchability, eye size, heartbeat, and body length at higher concentrations.
Both extracts showed no lethal effects at lower concentrations: 31.25 µg/mL for 100%M and 200 µg/mL for 100%U.

Abstract

has been traditionally used in Southeast Asia to treat various health conditions. This study evaluated the toxicity of leaf extracts obtained using 100% methanol through maceration (100%M) and ultrasonic-assisted (100%U) extractions. The acute toxicity of both extracts was assessed using zebrafish embryos, following OECD 236 guidelines. Both extracts revealed concentration dependent lethality and developmental defects. The 100%M exhibited greater toxicity (LC50 = 247.67 µg/mL) compared to the 100%U (LC50 = 395.26 µg/mL), with more severe impacts on hatchability, eye size, heartbeat and body length. At their lowest tested concentrations (31.25 µg/mL for 100%M and 200 µg/mL for 100%U), both extracts showed no lethal or sub lethal effects, indicating a threshold below which embryonic development remains unaffected. Q ToF LCMS analysis detected luteolin 7 rhamnosyl(1→6)galactoside, 6 hydroxyluteolin 5 rhamnoside, 8 hydroxyluteolin 8 glucoside, reserpic acid, methyl reserpate, 17-O-acetylajmaline and mitragynine which may underlie the toxicological effects associated with kratom leaves.

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