The opioid crisis presents a significant public health issue and underscores the urgency of developing effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD). Mitragynine (MTG), the major active alkaloid found in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), presents as a potential OUD therapy. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model has been established to support first-in-human (FIH) dose selection and assess potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs). Extensive physicochemical and in vitro studies were performed to define MTG’s pharmacokinetic properties for the model. The model was validated through in vivo pharmacokinetic studies (intravenous and oral) in both male and female Sprague–Dawley rats, revealing sex-related pharmacokinetic differences. Further validation in nonrodent models included pharmacokinetic studies in female beagle dogs. Utilizing this model, single and multiple-dose simulations of MTG (either as the pure compound or as the major alkaloid present in kratom) administration in humans were conducted, predicting the plasma concentration–time profiles of MTG and its active metabolite, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) to facilitate dose selection. The model also evaluates MTG’s potential as both a victim and perpetrator in drug interactions, considering its effects with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors and substrates. Simulation results indicate that potent CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors have minimal impact on MTG exposure. However, coadministration with CYP3A4 inhibitors leads to a reduction in 7-HMG formation. As a perpetrator, MTG has negligible effects on CYP2D6 substrates but increases midazolam exposure by 2.2 to 2.7-fold. This comprehensive model supports the therapeutic development of MTG.

By Yi-Hua Chiang, Siva Rama Raju Kanumuri, Erin C. Berthold, Shyam H. Kamble, Abhishek Gour, Michelle A. Kuntz, Alexandria S. Senetra, Sushobhan Mukhopadhyay, Zhoumeng Lin, Christopher R. McCurdy, Abhisheak Sharma