Tramadol painkiller found in nature

For the first time ever, a synthetic medication produced by the pharmaceutical industry has been discovered in strong concentrations in a natural source. The surprising discovery by a team of European researchers is reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie.

Led by Michel De Waard from the Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, the team found that the African plant Nauclea latifolia produces large quantities of molecules that are identical to Tramadol, a wholly synthetic medication that is used world-wide as a painkiller.

The discovery is an important one in the ongoing effort by scientists to identify pharmaceutically active substances in traditional medicinal plants. Nauclea latifolia is a small shrub that is abundant throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat different pathologies including epilepsy, fevers, malaria, and pain.

De Waard said the researchers were able to isolate the components in the plant that were responsible for the presumed analgesic effects by analyzing the root bark. “The biggest surprise in this study was the fact that this molecule was a known one,” he explained. “It was identical to Tramadol, a synthetic medication developed in the seventies. This medication is used world-wide, because although it is a derivative of morphine, it has fewer side effects than morphine, in particular addiction problems.”

In order to confirm their results, the researchers tested different processes with the aim of proving that the substance discovered was of natural origin. Their analyses were confirmed by three independent laboratories. “All results converge and confirm the presence of Tramadol in the root bark of Nauclea latifolia. On the other hand, no trace of this molecule was detected in the aerial part of the shrub [leaves, trunk or branches],” De Waard said.

The study reports that the concentration of Tramadol in the dried bark extracts was measured at 0.4 percent and 3.9 percent. “These are extremely high levels of active substance,” noted De Waard.

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Painkiller addiction in U.S. an “epidemic,” say senior medicos
More evidence for opiates role in cancer growth
Opium poppy gives up its genetic secrets
Expensive Placebo Works Better Than Cheap One

Source: Inserm

,

Comments are closed.

PAINKILLER JANE #0 (1999) EVENT COMICS JOE QUESADA PALMIOTTI AMANDA CONNER ART picture

PAINKILLER JANE #0 (1999) EVENT COMICS JOE QUESADA PALMIOTTI AMANDA CONNER ART

$6.99



Ash 22 Brides #1,2 Complete Series (1997 Event Comics) Painkiller Jane Cameo picture

Ash 22 Brides #1,2 Complete Series (1997 Event Comics) Painkiller Jane Cameo

$4.50



Painkiller Jane #1-3 VF complete series - Dynamite - all Lee Moder variants picture

Painkiller Jane #1-3 VF complete series - Dynamite - all Lee Moder variants

$5.99



PAINKILLER Enamel Pin  heavy metal judas priest rob halford picture

PAINKILLER Enamel Pin heavy metal judas priest rob halford

$12.00



Hellboy Winter Special 2020, Winter Special 2018, Painkiller Jane/Hellboy 1-shot picture

Hellboy Winter Special 2020, Winter Special 2018, Painkiller Jane/Hellboy 1-shot

$6.99



Painkiller Jane: Trust the Universe - Amanda Conner Jimmy Palmiotti picture

Painkiller Jane: Trust the Universe - Amanda Conner Jimmy Palmiotti

$20.00



Painkiller Jane vs The Darkness #1 1997 Auto x 3 W/COA & #1 DF Connecting Cover picture

Painkiller Jane vs The Darkness #1 1997 Auto x 3 W/COA & #1 DF Connecting Cover

$24.95



PAINKILLER JANE HEARTBREAKER KICKSTARTER ADULT 2X SIGNED AMANDA CONNER JIMMY NM picture

PAINKILLER JANE HEARTBREAKER KICKSTARTER ADULT 2X SIGNED AMANDA CONNER JIMMY NM

$99.99



Painkiller Jane #5 Event Comics November 1997 1st Print VF picture

Painkiller Jane #5 Event Comics November 1997 1st Print VF

$6.98



Painkiller Jane #1-3 VF/NM complete series - Joe Quesada - all C variants set picture

Painkiller Jane #1-3 VF/NM complete series - Joe Quesada - all C variants set

$5.99



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes