Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40606596›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in pharmacology2025

The effects of kratom

Ajaree Rayanakorn, Pattarachon Apisitwittaya, Shaun Wen Huey Lee, Kantirat Yaja, Ratchanon Inpan, Mingkwan Na Takuathung, Nut Koonrungsesomboon

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ajaree RayanakornDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Pattarachon ApisitwittayaClinical Research Center for Food and Herbal Product Trials and Development (CR-FAH), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Shaun Wen Huey LeeSchool of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
Kantirat YajaClinical Research Center for Food and Herbal Product Trials and Development (CR-FAH), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Ratchanon InpanDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Mingkwan Na TakuathungDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Nut KoonrungsesomboonDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Mitragyna speciosa Korth. [Rubiaceae] is a tropical plant with opioid-like properties used for its metabolic altering effects, but data on the metabolic effects are lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to examine the effects of kratom use on parameters related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in humans. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to 6 September 2024 to identify eligible analytical studies examining the association between kratom consumption and metabolic effects. The effect estimates were summarized as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled using random-effects models. Results: Five cross-sectional studies were included. The meta-analysis involving 1,458 adults observed significantly lower levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (MD -0.25-0.21 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.39, -0.02), triglyceride (MD -0.17 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.25, -0.09), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels increased (MD 0.07 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11). Body mass index was also lower in adults using kratom when compared to the control group (MD -1.52 kg/m Conclusion: Kratom use in the adult population was associated with lower LDL-c, TG, BMI, and higher HDL-c levels. However, the total cholesterol and blood sugar lowering effects were not statistically significant. The findings suggest that kratom use may have a protective effect against certain metabolic risk factors. Further investigations particularly longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings. Systematic Review Registration: identifier CRD42024600702.

Indexed as

cholesterolkratommeta-analysismetabolic syndromeMitragyna speciosa Korthmitragyninetriglyceride

Identifiers

PMID40606596
PMCPMC12214432

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.