Christopher R. McCurdy
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View article: Fasting improves oral bioavailability of mitragynine in healthy female Beagles
Fasting improves oral bioavailability of mitragynine in healthy female Beagles Open
Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of an encapsulated kratom extract when administered orally to fed and fasted healthy female Beagles. Methods The study was conducted over a 24-hour period in June 2023. Dogs were…
View article: Alkaloid biosynthesis in medicinal crop kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) varies with postharvest, genetic, and seasonal factors
Alkaloid biosynthesis in medicinal crop kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) varies with postharvest, genetic, and seasonal factors Open
Introduction Kratom ( Mitragyna speciosa ), a medicinally valuable ethnobotanical tree native to Southeast Asia, has traditionally been used to combat fatigue and enhance productivity. Recently, it has gained attention in North America and…
View article: Implications of Indolethylamine N-Methyltransferase (INMT) in Health and Disease: Biological Functions, Disease Associations, Inhibitors, and Analytical Approaches
Implications of Indolethylamine N-Methyltransferase (INMT) in Health and Disease: Biological Functions, Disease Associations, Inhibitors, and Analytical Approaches Open
Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (INMT) is a Class 1 methyltransferase responsible for N-methylation of various endogenous and exogenous compounds, including tryptamine, serotonin, and dopamine. This review aims to provide a comprehensi…
View article: A chromosome-level <i>Mitragyna parvifolia</i> genome unveils spirooxindole alkaloid diversification and mitraphylline biosynthesis
A chromosome-level <i>Mitragyna parvifolia</i> genome unveils spirooxindole alkaloid diversification and mitraphylline biosynthesis Open
Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) found in the Rubiaceae have varied pharmaceutical uses. Spirooxindole alkaloids are a structural subtype of MIAs with a unique spiro[pyrrolidine-3,3′-oxindole] ring system. Despite their intriguing struc…
View article: Kratom: Botanical Insights and Cultivation Practices for a Conspicuous Medicinal Tree Species
Kratom: Botanical Insights and Cultivation Practices for a Conspicuous Medicinal Tree Species Open
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a member of the family Rubiaceae, a group of plants known for producing diverse bioactive metabolites. Arguably, the most popular member of the Rubiaceae family is coffee (Coffea arabica), which yields seeds …
View article: Dual Opioid–Neuropeptide FF Small Molecule Ligands Demonstrate Analgesia with Reduced Tolerance Liabilities
Dual Opioid–Neuropeptide FF Small Molecule Ligands Demonstrate Analgesia with Reduced Tolerance Liabilities Open
Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptor antagonists prevent morphine-mediated antinociceptive tolerance, and compounds with dual mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist and NPFF antagonist activity produce antinociception without tolerance. Compounds syn…
View article: Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine: Bidirectional Effects on Breathing in Rats
Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine: Bidirectional Effects on Breathing in Rats Open
The use of kratom as an alternative to conventional opioids has surged, driven largely by anecdotal reports of its efficacy for pain relief and opioid withdrawal management. The growing prevalence of kratom products enriched with 7-hydroxy…
View article: Chemical Analysis and Alkaloid Intake for Kratom Products Available in the United States
Chemical Analysis and Alkaloid Intake for Kratom Products Available in the United States Open
Previously, we used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to evaluate motivations and temporal patterns of kratom use for 15 days among US adult kratom consumers ( N = 357). Here we present the content analyses of the products used during …
View article: Fatty acid binding protein 7 plays an important modulatory sex-dependent role on brain endocannabinoid levels and THC metabolism
Fatty acid binding protein 7 plays an important modulatory sex-dependent role on brain endocannabinoid levels and THC metabolism Open
Fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) is present in the brain, but its interaction with the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoids is still not well understood. FABP7 has been proposed as a shuttle protein for trafficking endogenous c…
View article: Time course of kratom effects via ecological momentary assessment, by product type, dose amount, and assayed alkaloid content
Time course of kratom effects via ecological momentary assessment, by product type, dose amount, and assayed alkaloid content Open
Alkaloid content was surprisingly consistent across kratom products, and participants were consistent in the amount they used across events. Firm conclusions about alkaloid-effect relationships for kratom will require experimenter-controll…
View article: Cannabis smoke and oral Δ9THC enhance working memory in aged but not young adult subjects
Cannabis smoke and oral Δ9THC enhance working memory in aged but not young adult subjects Open
With increased legalization of recreational and medical cannabis, use of this drug is growing rapidly among older adults. As cannabis use can impair cognition in young adults, it is critically important to understand how consumption intera…
View article: Supporting and Sustaining Faculty and Staff Success at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Supporting and Sustaining Faculty and Staff Success at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy Open
View article: The Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) alkaloid mitragynine: Analysis of adrenergic α2 receptor activity in vitro and in vivo
The Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) alkaloid mitragynine: Analysis of adrenergic α2 receptor activity in vitro and in vivo Open
View article: Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Mitragynine, the Major Alkaloid of Kratom, in Rats
Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Mitragynine, the Major Alkaloid of Kratom, in Rats Open
This study reports the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters for mitragynine and characterizes its elimination in male and female rats. Four male and female rats were dosed q12h with 40 mg/kg, and orally administered mitragynine for 5 an…
View article: Multimodal Image Fusion Workflow Incorporating MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry and Microscopy for the Study of Small Pharmaceutical Compounds
Multimodal Image Fusion Workflow Incorporating MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry and Microscopy for the Study of Small Pharmaceutical Compounds Open
Multimodal imaging analyses of dosed tissue samples can provide more comprehensive insights into the effects of a therapeutically active compound on a target tissue compared to single-modal imaging. For example, simultaneous spatial mappin…
View article: Growing pains with kratom: experiences discussed in subreddits contrast with satisfaction expressed in surveys
Growing pains with kratom: experiences discussed in subreddits contrast with satisfaction expressed in surveys Open
Background “Kratom” refers to an array of bioactive products derived from Mitragyna speciosa , a tree indigenous to Southeast Asia. Most kratom consumers report analgesic and stimulatory effects, and common reasons for use are to address m…
View article: Guanidine-to-piperidine switch affords high affinity small molecule NPFF ligands with preference for NPFF1-R and NPFF2-R subtypes
Guanidine-to-piperidine switch affords high affinity small molecule NPFF ligands with preference for NPFF1-R and NPFF2-R subtypes Open
View article: Formation of multiple ion types during MALDI imaging mass spectrometry analysis of Mitragyna speciosa alkaloids in dosed rat brain tissue
Formation of multiple ion types during MALDI imaging mass spectrometry analysis of Mitragyna speciosa alkaloids in dosed rat brain tissue Open
View article: Effects of kratom on driving: Results from a cross-sectional survey, ecological momentary assessment, and pilot simulated driving Study
Effects of kratom on driving: Results from a cross-sectional survey, ecological momentary assessment, and pilot simulated driving Study Open
Using kratom before driving appears routine, however, self-reported and simulated driving findings suggest kratom effects at self-selected doses among regular kratom consumers do not produce significant changes in subjective and objective …
View article: A multi-modal image fusion workflow incorporating MALDI imaging mass spectrometry and microscopy for the study of small pharmaceutical compounds
A multi-modal image fusion workflow incorporating MALDI imaging mass spectrometry and microscopy for the study of small pharmaceutical compounds Open
Multi-modal imaging analyses of dosed tissue samples can provide more comprehensive insight into the effects of a therapeutically active compound on a target tissue compared to single-modal imaging. For example, simultaneous spatial mappin…
View article: Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Kratom and Cannabidiol in Male Rats
Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Kratom and Cannabidiol in Male Rats Open
Kratom and cannabidiol products are used to self-treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety and pain, and to elevate mood. Research into the individual pharmacokinetic properties of commercially available kratom and cannabidiol produ…
View article: Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Study of Rigid Guanidine and Guanidino-mimetic Analogues of the Neuropeptide FF Receptor Antagonist MES304
Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Study of Rigid Guanidine and Guanidino-mimetic Analogues of the Neuropeptide FF Receptor Antagonist MES304 Open
The Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptor system has been implicated in mediating opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. Understanding the structural features that contribute to high binding affinity of ligands to the NPFF receptors could he…
View article: Ecological Momentary Assessment of Self-Reported Kratom Use, Effects, and Motivations Among US Adults
Ecological Momentary Assessment of Self-Reported Kratom Use, Effects, and Motivations Among US Adults Open
Importance Kratom products, which are sold legally in most of the US, contain alkaloids with opioidergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic activity. Millions of people use kratom to relieve pain, improve mood, or self-manage substance use diso…
View article: An update on the clinical pharmacology of kratom: uses, abuse potential, and future considerations
An update on the clinical pharmacology of kratom: uses, abuse potential, and future considerations Open
With the increasing use of kratom in clinical practice, clinicians should be aware of the potential benefits and adverse effects associated with kratom. While many patients may benefit from kratom use with few or no reported adverse effect…
View article: Responses to a “Typical” Morning Dose of Kratom in People Who Use Kratom Regularly: A Direct-Observation Study
Responses to a “Typical” Morning Dose of Kratom in People Who Use Kratom Regularly: A Direct-Observation Study Open
Introduction Use of kratom has outpaced systematic study of its effects, with most studies reliant on retrospective self-report. Methods We aimed to assess acute effects following kratom use in adults who use regularly, and quantify alkalo…
View article: Sigma Receptor Ligands Prevent COVID Mortality In Vivo: Implications for Future Therapeutics
Sigma Receptor Ligands Prevent COVID Mortality In Vivo: Implications for Future Therapeutics Open
The emergence of lethal coronaviruses follows a periodic pattern which suggests a recurring cycle of outbreaks. It remains uncertain as to when the next lethal coronavirus will emerge, though its eventual emergence appears to be inevitable…
View article: An in vitro evaluation of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) on the catalytic activity of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1)
An in vitro evaluation of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) on the catalytic activity of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) Open
View article: Pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol following acute cannabis smoke exposure in mice; effects of sex, age, and strain
Pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol following acute cannabis smoke exposure in mice; effects of sex, age, and strain Open
Increased use of cannabis and cannabinoids for recreational and medical purposes has led to a growth in research on their effects in animal models. The majority of this work has employed cannabinoid injections; however, smoking remains the…
View article: Novel methods for the remote investigation of emerging substances: Application to kratom.
Novel methods for the remote investigation of emerging substances: Application to kratom. Open
The botanical product commonly called "kratom" is still relatively novel to the United States. Like other natural products marketed as supplements, kratom is highly variable, both in terms of the alkaloids naturally occurring in kratom lea…
View article: Mitragynine Pretreatment Prevents Morphine-Induced Respiratory Depression
Mitragynine Pretreatment Prevents Morphine-Induced Respiratory Depression Open